Home Columns David Benavidez names who he’d prefer out of Beterbiev and Bivol

David Benavidez names who he’d prefer out of Beterbiev and Bivol

Benavidez eyeing Beterbiev-Bivol rematch winner

David Benavidez is eyeing a shot at the winner of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Esther Lin/ Premier Boxing Champions
David Benavidez is eyeing a shot at the winner of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Esther Lin/ Premier Boxing Champions

David Benavidez has put himself in pole position for the winner of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Benavidez secured the WBC interim and WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight titles with victory over David Morrell on Saturday in Las Vegas, a win that has made him mandatory to Beterbiev, who looks to make it two straight successes over Bivol on February 22.

’The Mexican Monster’ has sparred several rounds with Bivol, who was beaten by majority decision to his Russian rival in May and admits he’d prefer to share the ring with the 34-year-old.

The Phoenix man has been frustrated in his attempts to lure unified super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez into a clash, but believes a victory over Bivol, who handed Alvarez just his second professional defeat in 2022, could entice the Mexican great into a showdown with him.

“I would pick Bivol [to fight],” Benavidez told Ariel Helwani.

David Benavidez secured a unanimous decision win over David Morrell in Las Vegas Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
David Benavidez secured a unanimous decision win over David Morrell in Las Vegas Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

“Because Bivol beat Canelo so basically when I beat Bivol, that would make my case even better for Canelo.

“I know Dmitry Bivol really well.

“I’ve sparred him a lot. He’s a great fighter and we’ve had a lot of great sparring sessions.

“So I definitely would love to fight Bivol.”

Beterbiev and Bivol run it back on February 22 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Beterbiev and Bivol run it back on February 22 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Benavidez, who climbed off the canvas to beat Morrell, says will be ringside in Saudi Arabia to witness the rematch between his future opponents.

And the unbeaten 28-year-old admits he is confident of defeating anyone in the division.

“We’re going to go over there [to Saudi Arabia],” he added.

“So we’ll probably figure everything out.

Benavidez has previously sparred Bivol
Benavidez has previously sparred Bivol

“We’ll see what happens, but the good thing is we’ve got a lot of big things coming up.

“We’ve potentially got a unification coming up.

“I proved to everybody what level I’m on and how much heart I have.

“I’ll bet the house on me against anybody and I’m just looking forward to keep making history.”