What’s Next For David Benavidez?

David Benavidez is targeting a bout with Callum Smith or Anthony Yarde for his next bout. 

Benavidez became the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion after Dmitry Bivol vacated his belt to rematch Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez secured the mandatory shot after beating David Morrell Jr. The Mexican Monster wanted Bivol next since he was the undisputed champion, having beaten Beterbiev in his rematch. Benavidez did move up to 175 after having missed out on undisputed at 168 after Canelo’s failure to fight him. Now, Benavidez will have to wait for his shot.

He could turn his attention to Callum Smith. The latter secured a win against Joshua Buatsi in his last bout to secure his second win on the spin. It was the perfect response to his defeat against Beterbiev. While Smith has been linked with a bout against Yarde, a Benavidez fight is much bigger. It gives Smith the chance to win another world title, having done so at 168. 

Equally, Yarde is a seasoned veteran. Yarde has been in the ring with the biggest names. He boxed Sergey Kovalev in Russia. Although he was stopped, he was at one point close to getting Kovalev out of the ring. Yarde has also been in the ring with Beterbiev. He managed to land heavy shots on Beterbiev before he stopped.

Benavidez Reacts

The bout won the fight of the year, as Yarde showed massive heart. Yarde is coming off a win against Lyndon Arthur, ending their rivalry at 2-1. Benavidez knows a win will bring him closer to Beterbiev or a fight for another belt if the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol were to vacate. 

“We’re thinking about making that fight happen in the U.S. That’s going to put me one step closer to fighting these guys because I have the WBA interim, I’m the world champion at the WBC. Then, after I beat Callum Smith, I’ll have the WBO [interim]. So, then if they [Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol] don’t fight me after that, there’s not really much to say. I don’t want to say people are ducking me, but if you’re getting the most you’ve ever made in your career. And supposedly, I’m an easy fighter to beat, then why are you doing it?,” Benavidez said