David Benavidez has experience sharing the ring with a number of world class fighters, both in the gym and on the world stage.
‘The Mexican Monster’ was sparring the likes of Gennady Golovkin and Kelly Pavlik as a 15-year-old, and just over a decade on is now one of the best 175lbs fighters on the planet.
One potential fight that has been touted is between Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol, and it could bring back some painful memories for the Russian.
The two light-heavyweights currently hold all four world titles between them – Benavidez is the WBC champion, while Bivol owns the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.
Right now, Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), is preparing for a title defence against Britain’s Anthony Yarde, while Bivol continues to recover from back surgery in August. The injury is expected to keep the former undisputed champion out of the ring until 2026.
A win for Benavidez on November 22 in Riyadh could increase calls for another undisputed showdown at 175lbs. Speaking to Boxing News, Benavidez reflected on his sparring sessions with Bivol.
“I sparred Bivol a lot of times. I remember that he was a good fighter. The last time I sparred him I hurt him bad in the fourth round. He’s a great fighter. I don’t take nothing away from him. The last time I sparred him, I was 22 years old. So that was about six years ago. But I do remember that there are some opportunities I could take advantage of.”
Another key figure in the light-heavyweight division is Artur Beterbiev, the fearsome Russian who is tied 1-1 with Bivol after two memorable encounters. A trilogy bout between the pair could be on the cards in 2026.
Benavidez was asked who he would rather face if no titles were on the line — Bivol or Beterbiev.
“I think Beterbiev would be a more fan-friendly fight. It’d be a harder fight. Beterbiev is more of a rugged, in-your-face type of fighter. Bivol is more of a you-have-to-go-and-hunt-him-down [fighter]. I’m willing to fight whoever. I think a more fan-friendly fight would be me versus Beterbiev – that would be a great fight. But even me with Bivol would be a great fight, too.”
For now Benavidez’s focus remains on Yarde later this month, on a card that also features Brian Norman defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney.