David Benavidez is flying out on a small jet today to be ringside at Turki Alalshikh’s invitation to attend Saturday’s rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in their undisputed light heavyweight clash in Riyadh. Benavidez could fight the winner of the contest.
Fans are eager to see Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) be the next opponent for the Beterbiev-Bivol 2 winner, as he’s proven himself as deserving of the shot after his victory over WBA ‘regular’ 175-lb champion David Morrell in their exciting contest earlier this month on February 1st.
Ringside in Riyadh
Turki will decide whether Benavidez is next. If Bivol is victorious against Beterbiev on Saturday, he reportedly wants an immediate trilogy match. People want to see some new blood get a chance at the winner rather than a third straight fight between the two.
Benavidez took many heavy shots from the Cuban Morrell, giving his face the appearance of a much older person. After the fight, he looked like he was wearing a Halloween mask. Those hard punches from Morrell did a number on Benavidez’s face.
If he fights Beterbiev, he can’t let him land similar hard blows without getting knocked. Morrell dropped Benavidez in the 11th round and beat the stuffing out of him as the contest ended in the 12th.
Former trainer Abel Sanchez doesn’t believe Benavidez is ready for Bivol or Beterbiev. He feels those two fighters are too “seasoned” for him at 175.
“I honestly think those two guys [Beterbiev and Bivol] are head and shoulders above those two guys [David Benavidez and David Morrell]. Bivol and Beterbiev are natural 175-pounders. Bivol is a much more technically sound fighter than Benavidez, hits a little harder than Benavidez, and is a little stronger than Benavidez. Morrell has a little way to go,” said former trainer Abel Sanchez to Fight Hub TV.
Benavidez deserves a chance to try at least beat Saturday night’s rematch winner between Artur Beterbiev and Bivol. It’ll be a lot more exciting having Benavidez fight either one of those guys. He’s fun to watch because he brawls and is willing to take shots to give one.
“The monster, the real monster, Beterbiev, if he’s able to stay busy. He’s getting to a little later age now. If he’s able to stay busy with a high punch output, he beats them easy because of his strength and power. What’s going to be a detriment to him is he’s not going to be as easy as he used to be because he’s getting older, and maybe he’s conserving a little bit more.
“In the Bivol fight, I thought he conserved a little too much [last October]. Maybe in this one [on Saturday], he won’t. We’ll see a better Bivol and Beterbiev in this fight, but I don’t think Benavidez or Morrell is ready for those two. He couldn’t hurt Morrell. How is he going to hurt these two guys [Beterbiev and Bivol]. The other guys are a little more seasoned and in their realm at 175.
“He [Benavidez] wouldn’t do to Bivol what he did to Morrell,” said Sanchez.
David Benadvidez flying out to Riyadh today after accepting Turki Alalshikh’s invitation to be ringside for Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol. pic.twitter.com/SA2qtsSOmZ
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 21, 2025
Last Updated on 02/21/2025