David Benavidez has warned light heavyweight world champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol that he will be stronger at 175lbs and believes he will beat both.
Benavidez called for clashes with Beterbiev and Bivol after forcing Demetrius Andrade to retire after six punishing rounds in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The 26-year-old retained his WBC interim super middleweight title and insists a move up in weight is imminent, following a long-awaited clash with undisputed 168lb champion, Canelo Alvarez, who he hopes to lure into a showdown on Cinco De Mayo in 2024.
Asked which three fights he’d like next year, the Phoenix man told ES News: “Canelo first and then go up to ’75 and beat Bivol and then maybe Beterbiev.
“I know that’s possible and I can accomplish that.
“I [would] beat all of them. I find ways to win.
“That’s what makes me so dangerous. I can break down any type of style.
“You’ve seen me break down Bivol [in sparring], but it’s going to be great fights, I’m really excited.”
Benavidez embraced with Mike Tyson, who coined him ‘The Mexican Monster’, after his dominant victory over Andrade which extended his unbeaten record to 28 straight wins.
Beterbiev and Bivol are expected to finally meet for the undisputed championship providing the pair win their upcoming fights against Callum Smith and Lyndon Arthur respectively.
Benavidez, a former two-time WBC super middleweight world champion, who never lost his belts in the ring insists he will be an even more dangerous prospect should he move up in weight.
“If I go up to ’75, the scary thing is I’m going to be even stronger,” he added.
“That’s why I’m so interested in that weight class.
“There’s a lot of good fighters, but like I said, I’m not scared of nobody.
“I do want to put myself in these tough situations, because since I’ve been a little kid, you’ve seen me sparring since I was 13, 14, world champions.
“The only way the magic happens is if you put yourself in these tough situations.
“You’re really not going to know what you’re made of if you never put yourself in tough situations like that.”
