David Benavidez has been all the talk of 2023 in the super-middleweight division, and whilst many would be understood for avoiding ‘The Mexican Monster’, one world champion has willed on the challenge.
Benavidez has demolished both Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade this year as he continues his pursuit of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and the undisputed 168 title.
His continued frustration at the lack of an opportunity to face Canelo has encouraged him to take out all other contenders, leading to whispers of a clash with Jermall Charlo, after the former middleweight champion was touted to meet Alvarez in September in an attempt to avenge his twin brother’s defeat.
However, another alternative for Benavidez is to step up to light-heavyweight, and he has been vocal in his aims to defeat WBA champion Dmitry Bivol if he is able to clean up the super-middle scene and become the first man to defeat Canelo in his favoured division.
In an interview with Fight Hype, the other champion at 175lbs, Artur Beterbiev, beckoned Benavidez on to make the step up to the division and showed no fear in facing the undefeated Mexican.
“[That fight is] no problem. He needs to think about these things, if he wants to move up, no problem.”
“If he wants this fight, no problem.”
Like Benavidez, Beterbiev is also hopeful of becoming the undisputed champion in his division, but difficulties making a fight between he and Bivol are far more problematic than those involved in a potential Canelo-Benavidez showdown, due to the WBC’s current stance on Russian boxers.
Instead, the Canadian-Russian has been tasked with former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith who he will fight on January 13 in Quebec.
The WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight champion seeks to keep a hold of his belts and his perfect undefeated record of nineteen knockout victories in as many fights.