What’s Next For David Benavidez?

June 17, 2024
8 months
What's Next For David Benavidez?

David Benavidez defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk, leaving fans guessing what is next. 

Benavidez won a unanimous decision to become the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion. The Mexican Monster has become mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, who face off for undisputed at 175. That leaves Benavidez with a decision. He can stay at 175 and target all the belts. His fight against Gvozdyk showed he could handle the power coming back at him. However, Benavidez’s power did not stop the 37-year-old Ukrainian, unlike his previous fights. If Benavidez comes up against Beterbiev, who has a 100 percent KO rate, he may have problems. But the Mexican Monster revealed he had injured his hand coming into the fight. 

Benavidez’ Injury

“I was definitely worried about it. I started camp a month and a half ago. [And] I tore a tendon. They told me it wasn’t going to heal in time. They told it needed at least three months. I said, ‘I don’t care. I’m going to keep fighting. I’m going to keep training.

“Then I hurt this hand [left], and they told me, ‘You have to take a break for it,’ and I said, ‘No, that’s not going to happen. I’m going to keep fighting.’ Three weeks ago, I’m sparring, dominating three different sparring partners, and in the last round, I got cut. That worried me a lot,” Benavidez revealed 

A fight with Bivol would prove more tricky. Gvozdyk tried his best to stay elusive and work off the jab. However, Benavidez was able to walk him down as early as round two. Bivol showed that against Canelo he was able to keep a big puncher at bay. 

Options

The alternative is to move back down to 168 and target Canelo Alvarez. That is the biggest fight that can be made, allowing Benavidez the chance to be an Undisputed Super Middleweight. And yet, moving back down to 168 would defeat the purpose of moving up to 175 in the first palace. There was the possibility of making the David Morrell Jr. fight. That fight could take place at 168 or 175.

However, Morrell is a big risk. He is a big power puncher who is undefeated. Unlike Canelo, he does not offer a big purse or any belts. The same can be said for Christian Mbilli. Mbilli stopped Mark Heffron in his last bout to take his record to 27-0, with 23 knockouts. He has been targeting the Canelo fight, but Benavidez could be an alternative, with the winner facing Alvarez. Once again, Mbilli offers Benavidez little reward. Based on his current comment, Canelo was the fight to make. 

“That’d be a big fight. Now I’m at 175 these are some big boys, I’m looking forward to what’s next in the division. I still can make 168, I have a lot to prove. If I can go down to 168, there are big fights at 168. I want the opportunity … if it’s Canelo or whoever, I want the opportunity to be a four-time world champion,” Benavidez said

Benavidez must decide whether he pursues his mandatory position at 175 or 168. 

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