LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez’s return to the ring is being lined up for the top of the yr, promoter Sampson Lewkowicz instructed World Boxing Information not too long ago.
“He’ll combat in December,” Lewkowicz stated.
The previous two-time tremendous middleweight world champion final fought in June in opposition to Oleksandr Gvozdyk as he examined the waters at gentle heavyweight.
He has lengthy lobbied for a super-fight in opposition to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez as he’s emerged because the clear No.1 challenger to the unified champion, having bludgeoned Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade in back-to-back bouts final yr.
Although Benavidez defeated Gvozdyk to develop into the interim WBC champion at 175 kilos, his efficiency raised eyebrows because it didn’t match the wanton ferocity that followers have been accustomed to seeing at 168.
Benavidez instructed World Boxing Information and different reporters on the time that he fought by means of quite a lot of accidents. “I reinjured my hand within the third spherical,” he stated. “I tore my proper ligament 4 weeks earlier than the combat, and I damage my left hand in camp.”
Lewkowicz reiterated this level final week when WBN caught up with the veteran promoter in Las Vegas as he represented Gabriel Fundora at a Golden Boy Promotions occasion contained in the Michelob Extremely Area.
“He fought with damaged ribs,” stated Lewkowicz. “This man deserves all my respect, he fought with a lower on the attention and, on prime of that, he injured each palms — and it damage.”
Regardless of the accidents, Benavidez nonetheless scored a lopsided win per the judges, with scores of 119-109, 117-111, and 116-112.
As he was an interim WBC champion in two weight lessons, the sanctioning physique pressed Benavidez to select which weight class he wished to compete in. After Canelo — the opponent he had pursued — confirmed he’d combat Edgar Berlanga on September 14, Benavidez picked gentle heavyweight.
“Now,” Lewkowicz instructed World Boxing Information, “he’ll combat in December if he feels good” and has recovered from all of the accidents, he stated.
“If not, he’ll return subsequent yr.”
Benavidez instructed World Boxing Information previous to his Gvozdyk combat that boxing financier Turki Alalshikh had been in touch with him.
Mild heavyweight rulers Dmitri Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will unify the 175-pound championships in one of the vital fights boxing could make on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Alalshikh envisages Benavidez battling with the winner of that combat.
This implies Benavidez has not less than one gentle heavyweight combat he can take, probably two, earlier than taking over the Bivol vs Beterbiev winner earlier than the top of 2025.
Lewkowicz instructed us he already has the precise opponent in thoughts, “however we have to wait” to substantiate “to see about [Benavidez’s] palms.”
Certainly one of Benavidez’s rivals, David Morrell, who’s a stablemate of his at Premier Boxing Champions, not too long ago fought at Alalshikh’s debut Riyadh Season card within the US.
Within the greatest check of his professional profession so far, Morrell beat ‘Sizzling Rod’ Radivoje Kalajdzic by a 12-round unanimous choice on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
World Boxing Information visited one in all Morrell’s cornerman Bob Santos in Las Vegas the next week for perception on Morrell’s debut efficiency at 175, and whether or not a Benavidez vs Morrell combat may find yourself taking place at gentle heavyweight.
“There’s a combat that’s going to occur,” Santos instructed WBN. “There’s no two methods about it.”
We then ran the match-up previous Benavidez’s consultant, Lewkowicz.
“Let me put it this fashion,” Lewkowicz instructed us, “Morrell and Benavidez will [one day] combat.”
He continued: “It will likely be one of the best payday of every one in all his life, roughly. So, I, a promoter, earn money but additionally need one of the best for the boxers.
“I prefer to deliver one of the best paydays for my fighters and in addition the challengers. We’re speaking about one of the best fighters in boxing.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the 12 months finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Comply with Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
