While regarding Oleksandr Usyk as the sport’s pound-for-pound No.1 operator, Julio Cesar Chavez has considered how the Ukrainian might fare against David Benavidez at 200lbs.
The 39-year-old is coming off an 11th-round stoppage over former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May, with many believing his sub-par performance was indicative of a fighter in decline.
Usyk then announced the following month that, after vacating his three world heavyweight titles, he expects to have one more fight before calling time on his glittering career.
Initially, it seemed his last dance could be against Deontay Wilder but, with the pair having gone their separate ways, Usyk is now targeting a showdown with Benavidez.
Not only that, but the unbeaten southpaw has promised to move down to cruiserweight, where a successful shot at the vacant IBF title could lead to a chance at reclaiming his undisputed crown.
For that to happen, Benavidez must also dethrone WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 5, when he will enter his first outing since toppling Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round stoppage for the WBO and WBA titles in May.
As for the fight itself, many feel it would be a mistake for Usyk to move down in weight at this stage in his career, especially with one of the sport’s pound-for-pound stars standing in the opposite corner.
For Hall of Famer and Mexican boxing legend Chavez, though, he’s backing the former heavyweight champion to come out on top against the equally unbeaten Benavidez.
In that same breath, Chavez also told ESNEWS that he hopes Benavidez, as the sport’s flagship Mexican-American, can pull off what he would consider to be an upset against Usyk.
