David Benavidez is gearing up for his first WBC light heavyweight title defence.
Benavidez has become one of the most exciting fighters in all of boxing in recent years, having initially began his career at 168lbs where he became a two-time super-middleweight world champion.
After failing to secure a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez moved up to 175lbs, claiming wins over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell to win the WBC interim light heavyweight title.
He was elevated to full champion after Dmitry Bivol vacated his belt earlier this year, and ‘The Mexican Monster’ will put that title on the line against Anthony Yarde on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
If Benavidez is able to overcome former two-time world title challenger Yarde, it’s already been revealed who he is set to take on next, after his father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr told YSM Sports Media that plans are in place for a showdown against Artur Beterbiev.
“If everything goes well, Turki Alalshikh wants that fight, Beterbiev against Benavidez. That’s all set, but we have a big task in front of us and we’re focused right now on Anthony Yarde, but if everything goes well, Beterbiev is the next fighter.”
Beterbiev is the former undisputed light heavyweight champion, who after defeating Bivol in October 2024, came up short in their rematch back in February.
A trilogy bout between the two men was expected, but delays has led to Beterbiev instead facing Deon Nicholson on that Riyadh card in November, with a victory there seemingly now leading to a potential future showdown against ‘The Mexican Monster.’
