David Benavidez will possible have to struggle once more to remain prepared whereas he waits for his alternative to struggle the winner of the October twelfth conflict between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez’s Lengthy Anticipate the Massive Payday
It’s nonetheless too early to know if the Beterbiev-Bivol struggle will happen on that date as a result of there’s already been one injury-related postponement, and there are nonetheless two months to go earlier than October.
One in every of them might get injured in camp. Additionally, there’s a chance of a rematch, which might take ages to play out because of the potential for accidents.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) has fought simply as soon as at gentle heavyweight, beating former WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth by a lackluster 12-round unanimous resolution struggle wherein he gassed after six rounds.
The victory earned Benavidez the WBC interim 175-lb title and made him the obligatory for Beterbiev’s title with that group. Nevertheless, Benavidez appeared weak within the struggle and had nothing left after six rounds. It gave the impression to be a draw, however the Nevada judges gave Benavidez a large twelve-round resolution.
Potential Opponents
It’s important that Benavidez not simply sit for a yr, ready for the payday struggle towards the Beterbiev-Bivol struggle, and as a substitute give attention to getting extra expertise at 175 towards one or two of those fighters:
– David Morrell
– Osleys Iglesias: *168-pounder
– Joshua Buatsi
– Willy Hutchinson
– Anthony Yarde
– Ben Whittaker
– Callum Smith
“Attending to this struggle is hard if this [October 12th] is definitely going to be the date, after which whoever wins the [Beterbiev vs. Bivol] struggle, how quickly are they going to return?” mentioned Chris Algieri to the Probox TV YouTube channel about whether or not David Benavidez will get an opportunity to struggle the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bigol conflict on October twelfth.
Benavidez ought to have already been planning for a struggle reasonably than sitting since his win in June. He and his administration needed to know that Bivol and Beterbiev are growing older fighters, and the possibility of another getting injured can be excessive.
“Benavidez could have the within observe for the winner of that struggle if there’s not a rematch, this might go on rather a lot longer,” mentioned Malignaggi. “I believe he [Benavidez] ought to keep lively within the gentle heavyweight division, which is a really deep division with plenty of gifted guys in there.”
Monetary Incentives
It doesn’t matter if Benavidez has the within observe. There are nonetheless plenty of unknowns concerned with the Beterbiev vs. Bivol struggle, akin to harm delays and a rematch. It’s nearly a on condition that there will probably be a second struggle between them.
Benavidez appeared so dangerous towards Gvozdyk, exhibiting that his energy and stamina weren’t the identical, that he ought to have already arrange a struggle. Willy Hutchinson can be an excellent choice for Benavidez to remain busy, and if not him, Morrell or Osleys Iglesias.
“[Joshua] Buatsi is combating [Willy] Hutchinson. He fought Craig Richards [on June 1st in Riyadh and won a twelve-round decision],” mentioned Malignaggi. “He [Hutchinson] was very spectacular to me. I’d by no means seen him earlier than. There’s plenty of gifted guys that might tangle with Benavidez ready for the winner of the struggle between Beterbiev and Bivol to be sorted out.”
It’s questionable whether or not Benavidez would wish to struggle any of these fighters. Benavidez is already locked in for the payday towards the Beterbiev-Bivol winner, and there’s some huge cash to be made combating whoever emerges from that struggle because the victor.
“If Bivol and Beterbiev are going to struggle, you work that Benavidez goes to struggle once more earlier than he fights the winner,” mentioned Paulie Malignaggi. “I’d wish to see Benavidez struggle at gentle heavyweight once more simply to get a gauge to see the place he’s at.”
