Boxing

David Benavidez names two British opponents for himself

The Independent

Published by Jack Tanner, The Independent

29, May 25

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WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez is eyeing up British opposition for his next fight, with Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde as mooted opponents.

Previously the organisation’s interim champion, Benavidez was named WBC light-heavyweight champion in March after former title holder Dmitry Bivol relinquished the belt, opting to pursue a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev rather than face his mandatory challenger.

Victory over David Morrell in February secured Benavidez the WBA’s regular light-heavyweight belt, suggesting that he is in line for a shot at the ‘super’ title currently held by Bivol further down the line.

Despite clearly being in the picture for a proper world title shot, Benavidez will have to await the outcome of Bivol-Beterbiev III to win a world-level belt inside the ring, and perhaps undisputed status if the belts do not fracture.

In the interim, the American has revealed that he is keen to face British opposition in a bid to keep ticking over, as well as progressing his career.

Benavidez confirmed that his team were working on a fight with either Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde, two light heavyweights that are firmly in the top 10 of the division across the four major sanctioning bodies.

Smith himself has found himself in a similar boat to Benavidez, seeing a request to fight Bivol for the WBO title turned down by the organisation, who believe that a trilogy fight with Beterbiev is in the best interests of boxing.

Since defeating fellow Brit Joshua Buatsi in February, Smith has held the WBO’s interim title, cementing the Liverpudlian’s credentials as a contender in the light-heavyweight division.

Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Benavidez shared: “Right now, we’re thinking about either Callum Smith or Anthony Yarde. Obviously, those are the two top guys in that division. More likely Callum Smith. We’re kind of thinking about making that fight happen here in the US.

He added: “And then, that’s also going to put me one step closer to fighting these guys [Bivol and Beterbiev], because I have the WBA [regular title] – I’m the world champion at WBC – and then, after I beat Callum Smith, I’ll have the WBO [interim title].”

Smith himself is keen on the match-up, stating that he would regret not facing Benavidez. He told Boxing Social: “If I was to retire tomorrow, the one fight that I feel probably should have happened but didn’t was the Benavidez one.

“He’s a very good fighter. I’ve known of him for a long time. We were both world champions at the same time down at 168. I like his personality, I think he’s good for boxing and stylistically, we make a pretty good fight together.”

The Scouser indicated that a fight with Benavidez was close to being made. He restarted: “From what I’m hearing, the Benavidez one is probably a little bit further along in terms of talks and negotiations even though that fight is nowhere near done.

"But there have been an amount of talks what I hear from Eddie [Hearn] with PBC over getting the Benavidez fight done."

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