David Benavidez continues to dare to be great, and his list of target opponents proves it.
Benavidez has fast become a fan-favourite, aggressive in both his fighting style and matchmaking. The 29-year-old’s next bout is a perfect example – he moves up to cruiserweight in a bid to become a three-division world champion after just two fights at light-heavyweight.
At 200lbs, he will collide with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who boasts an impressive 48-1 record, as well as the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles. If successful, Benavidez seems set to move back down to light-heavyweight soon after.
That is because of a potential showdown with unified three-belt champion, Dmitry Bivol, who holds all of the required titles in order for WBC ruler, Benavidez, to claim the undisputed crown.
Additionally at 175lbs, Benavidez may finally a secure a clash with perennial rival, Canelo Alvarez, and wants a fan-friendly barnstormer with former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev for good measure.
In an interview with ESPN KnockOut, the Mexican-American was quizzed on which of those three fights he deemed to be the toughest, but declared that he is capable of knocking out each of those men on the same night before saying at least one, Canelo, doesn’t want the challenge.
“I knock out all three on the same night … All of those fighters are tough. That is the highest level in the entire sport, but I believe 100% in what I can be.”
Canelo boasts one of the best chins in the business, while Bivol’s elite movement makes it hard for opponents to even test his. Though skillful in his own right, Beterbiev’s offence is often his defence, getting to opponents with fearsome power before they can reach him. If ‘El Monstro’ managed to deliver on the promise above, he would be in the argument for being the best active fighter in the world.
Benavidez – who has 25 knockouts from 31 wins, the most recent being a relentless battering of Anthony Yarde – first faces ‘Zurdo’ on Saturday May 2, at the T-Moblie Arena in Las Vegas. Another standout performance will see fans demand the big fights keep coming.
