There’s a video circulating on Twitter of David Benavidez’s finishing salvo delivered across the decimated face of Gilberto Ramirez at the weekend. While the clip only lasts for 19 seconds, it perfectly encapsulates the devastation that David’s two fists can generate.
The finishing combination arrived in round six as Benavidez picked up the unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles from ‘Zurdo’ by extreme force.
As the dust settled on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Benavidez cut himself a little piece of history. In boxing, things move fast. Following such a dominant display, the talk naturally veers towards asking what’s next. It’s a question laced with greater excitement each time he devours another victim.
I remember watching Benavidez fight live, back in 2017, when he defeated Sherali Mamadjanov in round two as part of the Frampton-Santa Cruz rematch undercard. Even at such a tender age, his huge frame was already filling out to such an extent that his most recent tease of an eventual move up to heavyweight doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Now a three-weight world champion, Benavidez, 32-0 (26 KOs), had mostly dominated proceedings at super-middleweight before maintaining that winning streak at light-heavyweight, while looking slightly more human as the bigger boys refused to fall as easily.
The Ramirez rout at cruiserweight has triggered a reassessment of his prowess at an even higher weight. Just how far can he go to challenge the top dogs, and would he move back down to sweep anything that has been left behind?
Benavidez vs. Canelo
Prior to Benavidez’s main event beatdown, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez entered the ring to congratulate stablemate Jaime Munguia after his win over Jose Armando Resendiz. Rumours are already whispering in the wind that Canelo will face another unbeaten, Christian Mbilli, around Mexican Independence weekend in September. That would be an extremely solid comeback bout for Canelo, but it’s still not as enticing as a dust-up with the headline winner on Saturday.
Canelo is an established Mexican star. Benavidez, the ‘Mexican Monster, is heir to the throne. Canelo is under no obligation to allow Benavidez a passing-of-the-torch moment, from one generational icon to (potentially) another. He does owe the fans, however, the opportunity to see the old and the new go at it.
It’s what the Mexican warriors of old would’ve done, and Canelo should follow suit. Having already beaten undefeated pretenders like Munguia, Saunders, Plant, Smith, and Berlanga, the time has arrived to test himself against the best once more. Especially when they have specifically called him out, man-on-man, in front of the boxing world.
“I see Canelo in the building. Let me just ask the fans this. Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez?” said Benavidez, taking to the mic post-Ramirez, calling for a fight that oozes crossover appeal.
“Enough said. That means we can’t leave that fight on the table. I have respect for Canelo. He’s a great champion. I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it.”
The door is now open for negotiations if Canelo takes the bait. If he doesn’t, Benavidez shall turn his attention elsewhere.
Road to undisputed vs. Bivol or Beterbiev
Once the ardour of making weight has been surpassed, a championship fighter could be forgiven for swerving a possible move back down the divisions. When the likes of Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev (plus Canelo) are lurking, shredding off the pounds might be a little easier as lucrative rewards await.
A fight between Benavidez and Bivol would be a technical, tactical affair, recreating a legitimate version of their previous sparring sessions. Bivol defends his remaining 175-pound belts (weight-hopping Benavidez previously picked up the vacated WBC) against ill-equipped challenger Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia.
Even though some cast shade on Bivol for accepting surgery rather than defending the aforementioned WBC strap against Bena, he has shown no desire to duck challenges and would no doubt accommodate Benavidez if the terms were right.
As for Bivol’s two-time foe, Beterbiev, while he wouldn’t duck a challenge either, his creaking body might make the decision for him. Now 41, the verified destroyer of chins and reputations has been battling injury over recent years. If he can’t settle the score with Bivol (currently sitting at 1-1), then he’s unlikely to face Benavidez.
If Benavidez remains at cruiser, Opetaia could be a potential foe
One man who would love to fight Benavidez (or anyone with a pulse) is Zuffa Boxing convert Jai Opetaia. Sitting at 30-0 (23 KOs), Opetaia has built his reputation as a stone-cold finisher who badly needs a step-up fight.
If the Aussie was already struggling to unify the division when signed with Eddie Hearn, he’s in danger of being frozen out altogether under Dana White’s incestuous organisation that prefers in-house battles. Would they work with Benavidez and the PBC? Doubtful. It would be fireworks, but unlikely to happen.
There are other options, of course. Although that sub-20-second clip of David Benavidez ripping into Ramirez -similar to his 2017 obliteration of Rogelio Medina when he used Porky’s head as a speedball- is not going to encourage a queue to form at the Miami-based Arizona resident’s door.
Not even for Canelo Alvarez, a name that stands out above all others. The Mexican veteran is the ultimate choice as a Benavidez opponent, for reasons previously outlined. It may sound cynical, but, right now, it feels like another superfight that will elude us.
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