In a significant move that has fans buzzing, David Benavidez recently announced his intentions to attend the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, scheduled to take place in Riyadh. Describing his presence as “scoping out the competition,” Benavidez aims to challenge the winner and solidify his own position in the evolving landscape of boxing’s light heavyweight division. Known as ‘The Mexican Monster,’ Benavidez possesses an unblemished record of 30 wins with 24 knockouts, and this upcoming fight is crucial for both his career trajectory and industry reputation.
Preference and Strategy
While Benavidez expressed keen interest in contending against Bivol, who he has sparred with previously and found success against, the complexities of the matchmaking landscape cannot be ignored. With Beterbiev holding an impressive record of 21-0 and 20 KOs, confronting him presents a daunting challenge for anyone, especially a fighter like Benavidez who tends to engage in brawls. The strategic preference for Beterbiev’s victory stems from the promotional implications that would accompany a trilogy match should Bivol win, a thought echoed by Turki Alalshikh’s comments.
Benavidez’s support for Beterbiev, albeit strategic, raises questions regarding his own readiness for a potential showdown with the hard-hitting champion. With Beterbiev’s reputation for thriving against aggressive fighters, Benavidez must weigh both the risks and rewards of pursuing a title fight against him, especially given his own recent grueling encounter against David Morrell that left him with visible signs of battle.
The Delay Dilemma
Should Bivol emerge victorious in the rematch, Benavidez may find himself in a precarious situation. The uncertainty over a potential fight for the titles could lead to lengthy hiatus periods, which can be detrimental for any fighter looking to maintain momentum. The light heavyweight class is not particularly crowded with lucrative matchups, which means opportunities like this are gold. Benavidez must consider diversifying his options for high-stakes bouts if he does not end up fighting the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch.
Canelo Alvarez’s position in the hierarchy is another complication. The prospect of a fight against Alvarez appears dim, as there is little indication that the super middleweight champion will be moving up for such a matchup. It’s vital for Benavidez to refrain from fixating solely on Alvarez and explore alternative opponents that could fill his fight calendar effectively.
As Benavidez prepares for his trip to Riyadh, it is clear that he stands at a critical junction in his career. The outcome of the highly anticipated bout between Beterbiev and Bivol will have substantial implications for his next steps. Each decision he makes from here on will be pivotal in shaping his path in the unforgiving world of boxing. Fans eagerly await what promises to be an exhilarating spectacle, and they hope that Benavidez’s next steps will lead to thrilling matchups that live up to his moniker, ‘The Mexican Monster.’