DAVID Benavidez looks to make a first defence of his WBC world light-heavyweight title while, at the same time, a possible clash with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez remains firmly on the table.
The 28-year-old was elevated from interim to full champion after Dmitry Bivol, the last undisputed king at 175lbs, relinquished his WBC strap.
In doing so, Bivol has cleared a pathway towards his expected trilogy with Artur Beterbiev later this year, leaving Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), in search of an alternative opponent.
Of all his options, former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith has emerged as a likely dance partner, while Anthony Yarde, too, is seemingly in the mix.
A unanimous decision victory over Joshua Buatsi in February saw Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), revitalise his career, setting himself among the pack as a leading contender.
Yarde, meanwhile, produced a somewhat lacklustre performance to outpoint Lyndon Arthur – claiming his first meaningful win since 2021 – in their trilogy last month.
But still, while the two Brits represent potential opponents, Benavidez’s father and trainer has nonetheless highlighted Ramirez as an appealing avenue to explore.
The unified world cruiserweight champion is gearing up to defend his WBO and WBA titles against Yuniel Dorticos, his mandatory challenger, on June 28.
Before his next outing was announced, though, Jose Benavidez Sr had been in talks with Golden Boy, Ramirez’s promoter, to stage a left-field matchup involving his son.
So while the plan, first and foremost, is to make at least one defence of his WBC title, Benavidez could quite easily ignite his cruiserweight campaign soon after.
“Hopefully we can fight Callum Smith [or] Anthony Yarde, and then we can fight ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez,” Benavidez Sr told Boxing News’ Andi Purewal. “Those are the fights that we’re looking at.
“I don’t see [Beterbiev or Bivol wanting] to fight David Benavidez. Those are the fights that people want to see but, if they don’t want to fight David, there’s nothing we can do about it.
“[Smith] deserves an opportunity,” Benavidez Sr continued. “We’re here to give him that opportunity – to fight for a world title – and that’s what he wants, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t take that fight.”
While speaking with Purewal, Benavidez Sr even went as far as to suggest that William Scull, who came under fire following his less than inspiring performance against Canelo Alvarez earlier this month, represents an equally viable option for his son.
But the super-middleweight operator, in truth, would offer Benavidez little more than a chance to outshine Canelo who, even now, appears to be on the American’s hit list.
