David Benavidez admits there are two fighters he would struggle to knock out

Oscar Pick

David Benavidez admits there are two fighters he would struggle to knock out
Image credit: Getty

While confident in stopping Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opetaia inside two rounds, David Benavidez has admitted that two other potential opponents would probably take him the distance.

‘The Mexican Monster’ has cultivated quite the reputation, with many believing that he is among the pound-for-pound hardest punchers in boxing.

As one of the sport’s fastest operators, too, Benavidez produced a blistering performance and overwhelmed Gilberto Ramirez for a sixth-round stoppage in May.

In doing so, he claimed the WBO and WBA titles in his first outing at 200lbs, where the 29-year-old is a sizable favourite to dethrone WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 5.

And if he emerges victorious, as most expect him to, then Benavidez is likely to target a bigger clash with either fellow cruiserweight Opetaia or light-heavyweight king Bivol.

Speaking with DAZN, the three-division world champion said he believes neither fighter would make it past the second round, before conceding that Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are probably capable of lasting the full 12.

Based on his sheer size, Fury would certainly offer a durable challenge at heavyweight, while Usyk has expressed an interest in facing Benavidez at 200lbs.

The Ukrainian has not fought since his 11th-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven, a harder-than-expected assignment that saw him retain his heavyweight titles in May.

Since vacating his belts, though, Usyk has teased a move back down to cruiserweight, where he could reclaim his undisputed crown in a potential clash with Benavidez.

For that to happen, the 39-year-old would need to claim the vacant IBF title, while Benavidez must dethrone Cieslak and agree to face the unbeaten southpaw in 2027.

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