Unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev says he has “no problems” fighting David Benavidez if he comes up to 175 and wants to face him for his three titles.
There would be a tremendous amount of fan interest in a fight between the unbeaten Benavidez & Beterbiev in the U.S., possibly even more than one involving WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol fighting Artur next year.
Beterbiev & Bivol are expected to fight next year in Saudi Arabia if both win their next fights. Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) is defending his WBA title this Saturday, December 23rd against Lyndon Arthur on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), who is enormous for the super middleweight division, has talked of wanting to go up to 175 if he can’t get the fight that he wants against undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez. That’s the only guy the 27-year-old Benavidez seems interested in facing in the division.
IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) says he’s focused on his next opponent Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs), who he defends against on January 13th at the Centre Videotron, in Quebec City.
“He can move up, no problem,” said IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev to Fighthype when asked about his thoughts on David Benavidez potentially moving up to 175.
“With me? Of course, if he wants this fight, no problem,” said Beterbiev on whether he’d be interested in fighting Benavidez if he moves up to light heavyweight.
“Now, I’m only thinking about Callum Smith, but now you ask me about some different fighter. I respect the fighters, but I don’t take them seriously like they’re my next opponent. That’s why I’m smiling,” said Beterbiev.
It would be interesting for fans to see if Benavidez could stand up to Beterbiev’s power if he were to move up in weight to 175. Benavidez would still likely have the size advantage over Beterbiev, as he looks like a cruiserweight when he rehydrates for his fights. Once Benavidez moves up to light heavyweight, his weight could increase.
