Oscar De La Hoya has revealed the one man that he believes will get the better of Dmitry Bivol.
The Russian superstar achieved his career-long dream of capturing the undisputed light-heavyweight championship when he defeated countryman Artur Beterbiev in their rematch at the beginning of the year.
Bivol bounced back from defeat in his first encounter with Beterbiev last October, beating his bitter rival via unanimous decision to put their rivalry at one apiece and now seemingly set up a third encounter between the two men.
With the trilogy showdown likely to take place between the pound-for-pound stars before the end of the year, there is another light-heavyweight who has been waiting for their shot at one of the big names in the division and could be in line to face the winner.
That man is David Benavidez, who was crowned WBC light-heavyweight champion in April after Bivol opted to vacate the crown to pursue a third fight with Beterbiev.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, six-division world champion turned promoter De La Hoya had his say on a potential bout between Bivol and Benavidez, where he admits he favours the unbeaten WBC champion over the Russian icon.
“That’s a tough one. I would go with Benavidez because he’s more active and throws more punches and has better footwork than Beterbiev. He’s smarter up there and knows how to think and how to adjust. I would favour Benavidez.”
Benavidez is set to make the first defence of his WBC crown in the coming months, with Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde emerging as two potential opponents for the unbeaten 28-year-old from Phoenix who calls himself ‘The Monster’.
