Tony Bellew, a former WBO world cruiserweight champion turned boxing pundit, has given a ringing endorsement to David Benavidez. Bellew calls Benavidez "the real deal" and says he'd pick him to win against any fighter in the world right now.
Bellew's praise comes after Benavidez's recent fight with David Morell in the light heavyweight division. Benavidez, known as 'The Mexican Monster', won the bout by points decision, putting on a dominant display with relentless pressure. This was only Benavidez's second fight at light heavyweight, having moved up from super-middleweight where he was a two-time champion.
The move up in weight came after Benavidez couldn't secure a fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at super-middleweight. Now, he's making waves in his new division, catching the eye of seasoned observers like Bellew.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bellew shared his thoughts on the fight and Benavidez's potential:
"This was a quality fight! Benavidez is the real deal and I favour him against anyone in the world.. His output will pose everyone problems.. ???? I hope to see him face the winner of Beterbiev Bivol! That's the ultimate test imo.."
Bellew's opinion carries weight in the boxing world. He's known for his keen eye on boxing across all divisions and his deep love for the sport. In his own career, Bellew faced top-tier opponents like Oleksandr Usyk, to whom he lost in an undisputed fight in 2018.
Looking ahead, the light heavyweight division is full of exciting possibilities. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set for a rematch on February 22, following their undisputed contest from October where Beterbiev won on points. Bivol will be looking for revenge, and the winner could potentially face Benavidez in what Bellew calls "the ultimate test".
Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez, who Benavidez had been chasing at super-middleweight, is expected to face Terence Crawford next. Crawford, a two-weight undisputed champion, presents another intriguing matchup in the boxing landscape.
With Bellew's high praise and his impressive performances, Benavidez has positioned himself as a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight division. Boxing fans will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds and if he can live up to the potential that Bellew and others see in him.
