With Canelo Alvarez in the process of cleaning out the super-middleweight division, a fight with fellow Mexican David Benavidez appears to be looming in his future.
Benavidez’s attempt to become a three-time world champion at 168lbs begins on March 13 when he faces Ronald Ellis in a WBC title eliminator at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (broadcast on Showtime in the US).
Twice the WBC king at the weight, Benavidez has been stripped of the belt on both occasions after testing positive for cocaine in 2018 and failing to make the weight for a title defence against Alexis Angulo last year.
With WBA ‘Super’ and current WBC champion Canelo facing WBO title holder Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 and IBF king Caleb Plant set to follow suit in September 2021, Benavidez seems likely to be next in line should Alvarez remain at the weight.
The hard-hitting Benavídez (23-0, 20 KOs) doesn’t plan to hang around against Ellis.
“I’ve had an amazing camp in Big Bear and this is the strongest I have ever felt so I’m looking to get an early stoppage against Ellis,” said Benavidez.
“I’m glad this is a title eliminator and it’s going to be another step to being a world champion once again.”
American Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) has eight first-round knockouts to his name and most recently beat three-time world title challenger Matt Korobov on an injury retirement in December.
“It’s a fight but not just any fight. This is the type of fight I have trained for and wanted since I turned pro. He’s going to bring his best on March 13 and that will bring out the best in me,” claimed Ellis.
Benavidez’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz expects another heavy-handed performance as his fighter beats the drum for an all-Mexican clash with Canelo.
“On March 13, David Benavídez will move another step closer to regaining his beloved green and gold belt and remind the world he is the best super-middleweight in all of boxing,” said Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “There will be no doubt in anyone’s mind after another spectacular performance by David ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavídez.”