David Benavidez has successfully asserted his dominance over the past few years as one of the best in the sport. However, ‘The Mexican Monster’ remains a distant thought for the unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. In the meantime, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has shared a great alternative for Benavidez!
Benavidez is coming off a decisive unanimous decision win over David Morrell earlier this year. The expectation was that the interim WBC light heavyweight champion would fight the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch. However, since Bivol exacted revenge last month and won the undisputed title, the conversation seems to have shifted to a trilogy between them.
This has again left David Benavidez with a lack of potential opponents in the light heavyweight division. While Benavidez himself has expressed interest in fighting the interim WBO light heavyweight champion Callum Smith, the latter seems to want a fight against Bivol. With Benavidez in a dilemma, Stevenson hopped on X today to reveal who he thinks Benavidez should fight next. “Benavidez vs Bivol is up there with the best fights that can be made in the sport of boxing!!!” Stevenson wrote on X.
Benavidez vs Bivol is up there wit the best fights that can be made in the sport of boxing!!!
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) March 1, 2025
The Newark native is fresh off his 9th-round stoppage over last-minute replacement Josh Padley on the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch undercard. Stevenson, much like Benavidez chasing Canelo, has been wanting a fight with WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis but to no avail.
Meanwhile, there’s a twist in the story!
WBC reiterates Dmitry Bivol must face David Benavidez next
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has reaffirmed that Dmitry Bivol must defend his light heavyweight title against David Benavidez next. Benavidez solidified his mandatory position with a win over David Morrell, defending his WBC interim title as well as winning the WBA regular title. However, despite the ruling, complications remain.
The IBF has long mandated that Bivol face Michael Eifert, the mandatory for the IBF title, creating a scheduling conflict. Additionally, Riyadh Season—heavily invested in Bivol-Beterbiev fights—may push for a trilogy instead. Beterbiev could still be in play for another shot at Bivol.
Boxeo 2022 Saul – Canelo- Alvarez MEX vs Dmitry Bivol RUS – Weigh-in ceremony May 6, 2022 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Dmitry Bivol RUS during Weighing Ceremony at T-Mobile Arena ahead of the Matchroom Boxing card on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in Las Vegas. brbr 06 de mayo de 2022 Las Vegas, Nevada, Estados Unidos Dmitry Bivol RUS durante la Ceremonia de Pesaje en T-Mobile Arena antes de la cartelera de Matchroom Boxing el sabado, 7 de mayo de 2022 en Las Vegas. LAS VEGAS NEVADA ESTADOS UNIDOS PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxMEXxCHNxRUS Copyright: xAdrianxMaciasx 20220506163929_BOX_22_WEIGH_CER_ALV_BIV_BIVOL26
This situation mirrors Benavidez’s struggles at super middleweight, where he was denied a mandatory fight against Canelo Alvarez multiple times. If the WBC’s ruling is bypassed, Benavidez may either wait for his opportunity or move to cruiserweight to challenge Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. With sanctioning bodies and Riyadh Season involved, Bivol’s next fight remains uncertain despite the WBC’s stance.
That being said, it appears David Benavidez is yet again facing issues landing the biggest fights possible, despite all his work over the years, rising through the ranks. But what do you think? What should Benavidez do next?
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