The WBO interim light heavyweight champion revealed that he has had his eyes on Benavidez since their super middleweight days, but hopes to finally secure the fight in 2026.

“The Benavidez fight is the fight that I want," Smith told talkSPORT. “I’ve been vocal about that. I think we were both world champions at 168lbs at the same time and it’s a fight a always thought would happen.

“We were both big at 168lbs, so I thought we’d both end up at 175lbs, which we are now. He’s got himself the WBC title, but I think im in a good position regardless.

“I’m the WBO interim champion and I think that fight will happen. Provided I come through my next one, I think the Benavidez fight will always be there.”

Smith claimed the WBO interim title when he outpointed Joshua Buatsi in February and has not fought since due to the stagnated nature of the titles tied up in the Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev rivalry. 

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But he has now been ordered to fight Cuban contender David Morrell by the WBO. 

Morrell has bounced back since his own fight with Benavidez, where he lost a lopsided decision, and edged Imam Khataev on points in July.

Benavidez was the happy recipient of a title elevation shortly after his fight with Morrell as a result of Bivol vacating the title in favour of clearing the path for a third fight with Beterbiev. 

Yarde will be Benavidez’s first defence of his elevated title, hoping to establish himself as a full champion against a two-time title challenger in Yarde. 

Smith predicts an explosive fight, but gives Benavidez the edge for his work rate, which he hopes will allow for a fight between them, whilst Bivol and Beterbiev conclude their rivalry. 

"I think it'll be a good fight,” Smith explained. “It could be competitive early on, but I think stylistically, Benavidez has got a very, very good work rate and good punch output - think that's probably the style to beat Yarde.

"I think Yarde's a good fighter, but I don't think he does 12 rounds well. I think with the pace Benavidez sets, his boxing abilities are better than what people give him credit for as well. So I do favour Benavidez, but, as I say, it's a good fight and you never know."

Watch Parker vs Wardley live on DAZN

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.

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