David Benavidez could have a back-up plan should his upcoming world title defence against Anthony Yarde fall through for any reason.
Benavidez was elevated from interim champion back in April after former undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol opted to vacate the belt to pursue a much anticipated trilogy showdown with fellow countryman Artur Beterbiev.
Whilst his showdown with Yarde is official and looks set to take place as expected, ‘The Mexican Monster’ could actually be tempted by a potential clash with Beterbiev, should something ‘happen to Yarde’.
Speaking in an interview, Benavidez’s father, David Sr, said his son could actually go on to face the 175lb ‘Monster’ should his planned bout against Yarde fall through.
“I hope everything is okay with Anthony Yarde, but don’t be surprised if something happens to him and we go with Beterbiev. I think it would be a fight that people would be more interested in, and I don’t know why, but I’ve been thinking about it.”
Beterbiev made history by becoming the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the ‘four belt era’ last October, defeating Bivol via majority decision in their first encounter in Riyadh.
They locked horns for the second time just four months later, although it was Bivol who came out on top this time around, defeating Beterbiev to capture the undisputed championship at 175lbs.
Whilst the trilogy showdown between the Russian stars looked set to happen in the future, it has become delayed, and Beterbiev will now make his return to the ring in a ‘warm up’ fight in November, as he faces America’s Deon Nicholson on the undercard of Benavidez vs. Yarde.
