David Benavidez’s stock is growing with every fight he has, with the Arizona native putting in impressive performances against high-level opposition.
After a shot at super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez was not forthcoming, Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight and has since scored victories over former world champion, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and most recently, Cuban dangerman David Morrell Jr.
As a result, ‘The Mexican Monster’ now holds the interim versions of both the WBA and WBC world titles, and talks are reportedly underway for a showdown with undisputed 175lbs king Dmitry Bivol, whom last week the the WBC ordered to fight Benavidez.
The Phoenix native has even hinted at a move up to cruiserweight in the past – however admits there is one man who would be too much for him.
Speaking to FightHype, the 27-year-old stated that he lacks the experience to take on pound-for-pound number one Oleksandr Usyk, who has mentioned the possibility of returning to 200lbs.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has said the WBC have now officially ordered Dmitry Bivol to defend his undisputed light-heavyweight world titles vs David Benavidez next. pic.twitter.com/I9pzXxwX89
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) March 5, 2025
“To be honest with you I have to deal with these monsters in this weight class first.
“Usyk? I don’t think I have enough experience to go up against Usyk. I’m just being 100% honest.
“Like you say never say never, maybe in the future, maybe in five or six years but by then, Usyk will be 40 something or even older.
“I have tremendous respect for Usyk and he’s the greatest of all time and if I have the opportunity to share the ring with him, I’m not going to say no, but it’s probably going to be the hardest fight I’ve ever had in my whole life.”
Though Benavidez has defeated several former world champions in his 30-fight pro career, a clash with Bivol would represent another level entirely and is one he would almost certainly be an underdog in.
As for Usyk, it looks like he will get the chance to become undisputed heavyweight world champion for a second time, with a rematch against current IBF titlist Daniel Dubois seemingly in the works for later this year.
