David Benavidez wants to fight the No.1-ranked super middleweight Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez but, if he can't, then he isn't ruling out a move to light heavyweight to box one of the champions in that division.
Light heavyweight has two world champions right now. Dmitry Bivol — best known for beating Canelo conclusively in 2022 — reigns as the WBA's king. The WBO, IBF, and WBC light heavyweight champion, meanwhile, is Artur Beterbiev, who is highly touted for his power as he has won each bout by knockout.
"The Dmitry Bivol fight is a great fight because I sparred him before," Benavidez told ProBox TV and other reporters Saturday.
"I’m not trying to discredit Dmitry Bivol, but I know what can be done in that fight. He’s a great, great fighter. These are the types of chances I want to take in my career. I just want to be the best, and I know I’m going to accomplish that."
Benavidez has been on a run in 2023 as he's beaten Caleb Plant by decision in March, and Demetrius Andrade by knockout in November.
“I’ve been winning the fights I was supposed to win in fantastic fashion," said Benavidez, making his case once again for the Alvarez fight. "[Canelo] has nobody else to fight. If they want to give it to me now, later, or whenever."
Benavidez said, in a perfect world, he'd fight Canelo. That would be followed by Bivol, and then Beterbiev.
Benavidez though seems confident that he can land a fight with Canelo. As in the post-fight press conference, Benavidez openly talked about Canelo's future options.
Though he didn't mention Jaime Munguia, who is rumored to face Canelo, it appears none of the options have the same public appeal as a potential fight with Benavidez — which could transcend boxing should it land on the weekends closest to Cinco de Mayo, or Mexican Independence Day.
"I just look at the facts," said Benavidez. "People want to see this fight [against Canelo Alvarez] more than [Canelo's prospective fights against] Carlos Adames and Charlo."
