By Dan Ambrose: David Benavidez says he wants WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in his first fight at 175 after he’s “done with 168.”
It’s believed that Benavidez wants to stay at 168 until he gets a big-money fight against Canelo Alvarez, as that’s the guy he’s been killing himself to stay in the division for in the last few years.
Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) states that he had “great” sparring sessions with Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) in the past that were “competitive.” He doesn’t say when those sparring sessions took place and what size gloves were worn.
With the trouble that Benavidez had in his last fight against Caleb Plant, it would be a good idea for him not to tangle with Bivol in his first fight at 175.
Benavidez almost lost to Plant, who would be food for a fighter like Bivol. Plant exposed Benavidez, and someone like Bivol would toy with him, taking advantage of his lack of boxing skills.
Next month, ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez will defend his WBC interim super middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) on November 25th on Showtime PPV in Las Vegas.
It’s not a given that Benavidez will win that fight, and if he loses, it would be pointless to stay at 168 because he’s putting his light heavyweight-sized body through too much torture to artificially stay in this weight class.
You have to give Benavidez credit for being able to make the weight all these years, as he should have been fighting at 175 from the start of his career.
Benavidez wants Bivol in first fight at 175
“I actually do. After I’m done with 168, I’m going up to 175, and that’s the first fight I want. I want Bivol at 175,” said David Benavidez to ESNEWS about his plans for the future once he’s done with super middleweight.
“We had some great sparring sessions. He’s a great boxer. I’m really competitive. I want to be the best. When I was young and fat, everyone said I wasn’t going to be nothing, and that’s where the fighting spirit comes from.
The ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez is essentially a light heavyweight and has been for a long time, but he’s draining down to stay at 168 because the money fights are in that division.
Moreover, Benavidez has the size advantage over the opposition at 168, which he won’t have once he moves up to 175 to fight guys as big as him.
“I feel Canelo needs challenges from a strong fighter from his weight class [168]. The only one left is me. I’m making my own lane. I’m trying to achieve my own greatness, and the only way I do that is by fighting great fighters like Demetrius.
“People don’t believe in themselves. That’s what it is. If you’re ducking a fighter, it’s for a reason,” said Benavidez when asked why fighters don’t want to face Andrade. “With Demetrius, he’s a great fighter, and he hasn’t had an opportunity to shine.
Provided the 26-year-old Benavidez can keep draining to 168 for a little while longer, he could finally get the Canelo fight he’s been waiting on. He can then move up to 175 to challenge Bivol & IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev for their titles.
If Benavidez stays at super middleweight long enough for Bivol to age, he’d have a good shot at beating him, but if he fought him now, it would likely end badly for him. Using the Canelo method of waiting for a fighter to get old before fighting them might work for Benavidez to defeat Bivol.
Andrade a tough task
If they fight now, Bivol would be far too skilled for Benavidez to handle, and it would be a one-sided affair similar to Canelo’s loss to Dmitry last year.
“With this fight, may the best man win. I’m not going to duck him, but this is what you have to do to excel to become the best version of yourself,” said Benavidez. You have to go through tough times. This is what this fight brings. I’m always going to prevail, and it’s going to give me better experience for the rest of my career.
“Crawford is a great fighter, but Canelo is too big. Going up three weight classes. I’m sure that Crawford thinks he can beat him, but I feel Canelo needs to fight someone in his weight class [168].
“If he goes two fights back-to-back, fighting people in smaller weight classes, he’s going to get a lot of criticism,” said Benavidez about Canelo.
