David Benavidez’s conquer Gilberto Ramirez has made him one of many pound-for-pound stars of the game and a significant menace to any fighter between light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
Earlier than he defeated ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for the unified cruiserweight titles on Saturday, Benavidez acknowledged clearly that he could be returning to light-heavyweight quickly after, the place he has saved maintain of his WBC title, to face Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed crown.
In an interview with Sean Zittel, ‘The Mexican Monster’ reaffirmed his need to tackle WBA, WBO and IBF champion Bivol, however as an alternative advised a 190lb catchweight along with his cruiserweight belts on the road too.
“I used to be pondering how we may make that combat even greater. I used to be pondering we may do a catchweight at 190lbs, we get the cruiserweight belts concerned, the light-heavyweight belts concerned and the winner takes all.
“Dmitry stated he needed to combat for the cruiserweight championship earlier than his profession was over, so perhaps we are able to make an excellent greater combat like that.”
While titles from alternate divisions have been up for grabs in the identical bout on prior events – comparable to when Donny Lalonde fought Sugar Ray Leonard and when Leo Santa Cruz confronted Gervonta Davis – this has solely beforehand been permitted when each fighters weighed in on the restrict of the bottom belt.
Because of this, except a controversial and unlikely exception is made by all of the sanctioning our bodies, a combat for all of Benavidez and Bivol’s belts won’t happen at a weight increased than 175lbs, or in any respect.
Fortunately, for followers Benavidez then went on to state that he would even be keen to take that combat within the light-heavyweight division, however that he would want to get to work instantly with the intention to safely make the load.
“I can nonetheless get to 175lbs, the factor is, if I do find yourself preventing him it isn’t going to be till the tip of the 12 months. It received’t be in September. If I get to work now, I may get right down to that weight and that’s precisely what I’m planning on doing. I’m planning to get to work as a result of I do know what’s subsequent after this.
“I do know that I’ve to be 100% prepared, so if I’m going towards Dmitry Bivol, I get to work in all probability subsequent week.”
Bivol fights Germany’s Michael Eifert in two weeks’ time, however might then be made to simply accept a trilogy conflict with Artur Beterbiev on account of a ‘unfastened obligation’, which may scupper plans for Bivol-Benavidez and delay the occasion till 2027.
