David Benavidez is preparing to return to the ring in his first outing as a world light heavyweight champion.
The 28-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona was officially declared the WBC light heavyweight champion earlier this week after former champion Dmitry Bivol vacated the title to pave the way for a trilogy showdown with Artur Beterbiev.
Purse bids for a bout between ‘The Monster’ and Bivol had been set to take place on April 8, but the 34-year-old Russian made the decision to vacate the title rather than enter negotiations with Benavidez, who had held the WBC ‘Interim’ title at 175lbs since he defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk last year.
As he gears up to begin his world title reign at 175lbs, Benavidez may be heading for a fight with a former opponent of unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, who has received criticism in the past for avoiding a clash with ‘The Monster’.
Speaking to Boxing News, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed they have started early talks for a bout against his charge Callum Smith, who recently captured the WBO ‘Interim’ light heavyweight title. Asked if the fight was ‘likely,’ he said:
“Absolutely. Like you’ve said we’re discussing that fight [with them] … no firm offer has been made but tell me another fight that Benavidez could make? That light heavyweight division is actually quite thin at the top in terms of big names and I think Callum’s got great options ahead of him.”
Smith outpointed the previously unbeaten Joshua Buatsi on February 22 to capture the WBO ‘Interim’ title at 175lbs, in what was a thrilling 12-round encounter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ‘Mundo’ will have his sights set on getting himself another opportunity to become a world champion at light heavyweight, after he fell short to Artur Beterbiev in January 2024.
