Cutman Russ Anber believes David Benavidez can beat newly crowned undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol or former champ Artur Beterbiev. He feels a fight between Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and Bivol or Beterbiev would be a “fight of the year” clash.
Benavidez is the WBC mandatory for the belt that Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) now holds, but it looks like he’s not be given the chance to fight him anytime soon, if ever. Turki Alalshikh wants a trilogy between Bivol and Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs). Bivol’s promoters at Matchroom want a rematch with Canelo Alvarez. They’re NOT interested in a fight with Benavidez.
Benavidez’s Wait
The Bivol-Beterbiev trilogy will likely happen next, and if Turki can persuade Canelo to fight the winner, we’ll likely see that rather than Benavidez getting a shot. He must sit on the sidelines until these fights play out next year.
Bivol will probably vacate the WBC belt if he wins his trilogy with Beterbiev and beats Canelo. Matchroom won’t want to risk Bivol against David Benavidez because it’s a bad style matchup for him.
“I think Benavidez has a shot,” said cutman Russ Anber to Secondsout when asked who has a shot at beating Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. “I like David Benavidez. I think he has a certain style that could be problematic. It would certainly be exciting.”
Benavidez has more than a shot at defeating Bivol and Beterbiev. The only question is whether he can get either of these aging light heavyweights to fight him. If Beterbiev gets his hands on the four belts, he will be willing to fight Benavidez because he won’t be protected like Bivol would. Eddie Hearn is a really crafty promoter who tends to match his fighters only in fights that he’s near-certain they can win. If there’s doubt, he drags his feet.
“There’s no way putting him in with Bivol or Beterbiev. There’s no way that’s not a candidate for fight of the year or excitement of the year. For sure, that’s an exciting fight. He [David Benavidez] makes excitement happen,’ said Anber.
“Even in his last fight against [David] Morrell, there were times he looked like he was hurt, and he came right back. Morrell can punch, Morrell’s a good fighter. I think it’s a great matchup. I think he’s [Benavidez] a live dog in either fight [Bivol and Beterbiev].
“I think you have to make either guy a slight favorite or even money at best. I don’t think you make Benavidez the favorite to win, but man, that would be exciting. I think he’s [Benavidez] the excitement of the division,” said Anber.
Last Updated on 02/25/2025
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