David Benavidez is on the prowl for his next opponent! The ‘Interim’ WBC light heavyweight champion is coming off a dominant win over David Morrell earlier this year. The expectation was that Benavidez would face the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch. However, that fight seems to be heading for a trilogy.
After Beterbiev won the first fight, Bivol secured a win in their rematch—Beterbiev has since called for a trilogy, putting Benavidez’s chance of securing a fight against Bivol in jeopardy. While there’s no official word on whether the trilogy would happen or not, Benavidez seems to have already come up with a plan B.
Speaking to Boxing King Media recently, Benavidez claimed that ‘Interim’ WBO light heavyweight champion Callum Smith would be a great match for him. “Hopefully, we might be looking at a future opponent Callum Smith,” he told the reporter. “We’re both at 175, he just gave a great fight and I think me and Callum Smith would be a great fight. So maybe we can make that happen in the future.”
Smith, of course, is coming off a dominant win over the previously unbeaten Joshua Buatsi on the undercard of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch. Interestingly, Smith’s only two losses came against Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev, making him the perfect opponent for Benavidez to fight.
This will not only allow Benavidez to win another belt in the division but also move him one step closer to an eventual undisputed fight in the light heavyweight division. However, the question is, who does Smith want to fight next?
David Benavidez may want Callum Smith, but Smith has his sights set elsewhere
Callum Smith is eager for a shot at Dmitry Bivol after securing the ‘Interim’ WBO light heavyweight title with a decisive win over Joshua Buatsi. The Liverpool native knows what’s next—he wants the undisputed crown. “Bivol’s got the belts so ideally, Bivol,” Smith said when asked about his next fight. “I don’t know what he’s gonna do. Maybe he’s gonna have a third match [with Beterbiev], I’m not too sure. I just want to be a world champion again.”
Boxing – Callum Smith v Lenin Castillo – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Callum Smith before his fight against Lenin Castillo Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
His victory over Buatsi silenced doubts about his ability to compete at the elite level. Now, Smith is next in line for a world title shot. “It puts me very, very close to the ultimate goal which is being a two-weight world champion,” Smith told Boxing Now. “I’m interim world champion which means I’m next in line to fight for the title.”
That said, ideally both Callum Smith and David Benavidez want to fight undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. However, with the trilogy talks with Beterbiev, maybe Smith and Benavidez can fight each other to decide who gets a shot at Bivol or the winner of the trilogy. Do you think that’s fair?
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