David Benavidez has set his sights on a groundbreaking fight with Canelo Alvarez. The 28-year-old aims to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion to lure Canelo into a historic 'double' undisputed championship bout.
Canelo, the 34-year-old Mexican star, currently holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles. He lost his IBF belt last year but plans to regain it in May against William Scull. After that, he's got a date with Terence Crawford in Las Vegas this September.
Meanwhile, Benavidez has kicked off his ambitious plan. He recently beat David Morrell to claim the WBC 'interim' light heavyweight title. Now, he's first in line for a shot at the 175-pound belts.
In a recent interview with ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT, Benavidez laid out his strategy:
"My plan is right now, beating David Morrell, winning the undisputed titles, and in that way I can entice a fight with Canelo."
But Benavidez doesn't want just any fight with Canelo. He's got something bigger in mind:
"Maybe we can do a catchweight 172lbs, I don't know if they'd allow it but I'm willing to do that for both the titles [at 168lbs and 175lbs], when was the last time that was ever done?"
This proposal would put all eight world titles from two weight classes on the line – a first in boxing history.
Benavidez's path to this dream fight isn't easy. He'll need to dethrone the current undisputed light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol. Bivol recently defended his titles in a rematch against Artur Beterbiev on February 22.
ESPN reports that Benavidez's win over Morrell puts him in prime position for a shot at the 175-pound titles. If he can capture those belts, his vision of a 'double' undisputed fight with Canelo might just become a reality.
This potential matchup would not only be a landmark event in boxing but also the climax of a long-standing rivalry. Benavidez has chased a fight with Canelo for years, and this ambitious plan might finally make it happen.
