Benavidez wants Dmitry Bivol to win to get the chance to beat him and prove he is better than Canelo

David Benavidez will have a front-row seat at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 22 as the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol takes place. With his sights set on the light heavyweight division, Benavidez is eager to face the winner, a fight that Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season, is keen to make happen.

Benavidez Sees Bivol as the Key to Proving Himself

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) has a clear preference when it comes to the outcome of the bout. His reasoning? A victory over Bivol would solidify his status as a superior fighter compared to Canelo Alvarez.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Benavidez openly stated his desire for Dmitry Bivol to defeat Artur Beterbiev so that he could challenge Bivol and strengthen his legacy.

“I will pick Bivol [to beat Beterbiev] because Bivol already defeated Canelo Alvarez,” Benavidez said. “Basically, when I beat Bivol, that will prove that I am better than Canelo. I know Bivol well. I have sparred with him. He is a great fighter, and we’ve had some incredible sparring sessions. So, I definitely want to fight Bivol.”

With Bivol already holding a victory over Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez believes that defeating him would solidify his position as the top fighter in the division. His confidence in a potential fight against Bivol stems from their past sparring sessions and his growing dominance in the weight class.

The Uncertainty of a Trilogy Fight

Benavidez acknowledges that if Bivol wins, there might be a rematch, which could delay his plans.

“I’m pretty confident that I will fight the winner,” he said. “Honestly, the only thing I’m thinking about is if Bivol wins, there will probably be a trilogy fight. Who am I to say they shouldn’t fight again? If Bivol wins, I won’t fight until they finish their trilogy, and I’ll step in afterward.”

While Benavidez is eager to challenge Bivol, he recognizes the possibility of a prolonged delay should a third fight between Bivol and Beterbiev be necessary. In that case, Benavidez may need to decide between waiting for his shot at the title or keeping himself active with another fight.

What’s Next for Benavidez?

If the trilogy between Bivol and Beterbiev does take place, Benavidez has several options. He could stay busy by fighting top contenders like Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Albert Ramirez, or Callum Smith, or he could wait for the title shot he truly desires.

Regardless of what happens, Benavidez has only one goal: to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

“Once I unify all the belts at 175, that’s when I’ll finally receive all the respect I know I deserve,” Benavidez stated. “I feel comfortable at 175. With each fight, I’m getting stronger. You have to take responsibility in a new weight class.”

Benavidez’s Confidence and Legacy

With his recent dominant victory over David Morrell, Benavidez has proven that he is ready to take on the biggest names in the light heavyweight division. His ambition to fight Bivol stems not only from wanting to win a title but from the desire to demonstrate that he is the superior fighter compared to Canelo Alvarez.

If Bivol wins against Beterbiev, it sets up a potential megafight that could change the landscape of the light heavyweight division. However, if a trilogy fight between Bivol and Beterbiev happens, Benavidez may have to wait for his opportunity or face another top-ranked fighter in the meantime.