David Benavidez Bored with the lack of big games in super-middleweight: “Maybe it’s time to go up to 175”

By: Hans Themistode

While David Benavidez is still in the infancy of his career, at 25, the Arizona-born player is hungry for bigger games and even better pay.

Despite carrying the super-medium class gold on two separate occasions, Benavidez believes there is a hole in his current résumé. In an attempt to draw some of the older names into the ring with him, Benavidez went to great lengths to resist and provoke countless fighters. Up to this point, however, Benavidez’s words had reached the ears of the deaf.

At this point, Benavidez became bewildered by the unannounced opponents he continued to face. When the 25-year-old put his thinking cap on, a lightbulb suddenly flashed. While his preference is to face the top contenders and current champions in his weight class, if he is unable to do so, Benavidez revealed he would be open to switching from super middleweight and try yourself as a full-fledged lightweight boxer. .

“Other fighters I want, Caleb Plant, Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, even if we can get Edgar Berlanga in there, if not, maybe it’s time to go up to 175. I tried to make it real. Now all these battles take place over a long period of time. ”

Despite his disappointment, Benavidez was willing to hold his tongue a little longer. On May 21, at Gila River Arena, in Glendale, Arizona, Benavidez will face former middleweight champion turned super-middleweight contender, David Lemieux. Continuing his unbeaten streak was all the motivation Benavidez needed to immerse himself in a grueling eight-week training session. However, he was given greater incentive to win against Lemieux.

With the winner of their upcoming match set to receive a provisional WBC title, Benavidez sees that piece of gold jewelry not only as a must-have memento but a negotiating chip.

Currently, Canelo Alvarez is holding on to the major world champion title at 168 pounds. However, if Benavidez wins the interim WBC crown, he will become the mandatory challenger of the weight star. In doing so, it’s no surprise that Benavidez smiles from ear to ear. However, the former heavyweight player does not believe he will be the next to face Alvarez.

So with Benavidez doubting his ability in relation to his ability to beat the big-name fights that would put him at the heart of boxing, he sees a move to 175 as more than an option. reality but also his only option.

“When I win the interim WBC title, I will have a little more leverage. But if I can’t make them happen, it’s because the fighters don’t want to fight me so maybe it’s time to go up to 175.”