David Benavidez camp denies dodging Artur Beterbiev fight

David Benavidez's father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. has pushed back against Artur Beterbiev's claim that the unbeaten cruiserweight champion avoided negotiations for a megafight at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight.

According to BoxingScene, Benavidez Sr. dismissed Beterbiev's version of events on Thursday, insisting his camp wants the fight and challenging Beterbiev's team to make contact. "They're lying," he said. "We want to fight him. Let's make that fight happen. Tell the manager to contact me, and we will make that fight happen in five minutes."

Beterbiev accused Benavidez of choosing easier path

The former undisputed heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion told Match TV that he attempted to set up a bout with Benavidez after the Phoenix fighter stopped Anthony Yarde in November. Beterbiev claimed Benavidez's team backed out once he agreed to terms, instead opting for a May showdown with Gilberto Ramirez that Benavidez won by sixth-round stoppage to capture unified cruiserweight titles. "Benavidez is the kind of guy who talks a lot more than he does," Beterbiev said, per the report. "His team apparently didn't expect me to agree so quickly, so they immediately changed their mind and chose Ramirez."

Benavidez Sr. countered that no talks occurred with Beterbiev's side following their initial attempt to make the fight before settling on Yarde. He suggested Beterbiev is focused on completing a trilogy with three-belt light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol after the pair split their first two meetings.

Benavidez traveled to Mexico last week seeking a mandatory shot at WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, which WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman granted on Friday. That opportunity may shift to a fight with interim champion Michal Cieslak if Mikaelian faces IBF titlist Jai Opetaia instead, which BoxingScene reported is close to finalization.

Source: boxingscene.com