David Benavidez keeps the door open for a long-awaited fight despite move to cruiserweight

WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez is confident fights with the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev can still take place despite his next outing being at cruiserweight. 

Benavidez successfully defended his world title on Saturday night in a systematic beatdown of Anthony Yarde, which was stopped in the seventh round at Ring IV: Night of Champions. 

Speaking in the fight's immediate aftermath, Benavidez announced that his next fight would be at cruiserweight where he will face WBA and WBO champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend next year. 

I do definitely want to come down and get a fight with Canelo - David Benavidez

The news of Benavidez's move to cruiserweight would have been disappointing to some as it felt like the American's journey at light heavyweight was just getting started. 

His ferocious and brutal style inside the ring is entertaining to watch, and the damage he can inflict on opponents is something to behold.

Before Saturday's stoppage, Yarde was covered in blood from his nose with prevalent swelling and did well to hold on until proceedings were brought to a halt in the seventh. 

However, speaking to Inside the Ring on DAZN after his victory over Yarde, Benavidez is confident that his impending move to cruiserweight will not scupper some major bouts at light heavyweight in the future against the likes of Canelo.

"I feel like I’m not going to gain too much muscle going up, I don’t want to get big, I don’t want to stay at cruiserweight immediately," Benavidez said.

"We have got about six months to get ready for that fight, we’re going to see how much muscle mass we put on and what type of strength and conditioning we have to do, but I do definitely want to come down and get a fight with Bivol, Beterbiev and Canelo hopefully in the future."

A showdown with Canelo is one which Benavidez had chased throughout his time at super middleweight. Despite being a mandatory challenger when the Mexican was the WBC champion at 168lbs, the fight never materialised. 

Claims of 'ducking' were quickly made by Benavidez's camp and Alvarez did not help himself by stating that a serious pay day was needed if he was to step into the ring with 'The Mexican Monster'.

With Alvarez no longer the undisputed super middleweight champion after losing to Terence Crawford, a chance to pursue glory at light heavyweight could be next after a failed attempt to become a two-time world light heavyweight champion against Bivol in 2022. 

If the Mexican does decide to move up the weight divisions once more, then maybe the boxing world will finally get a fight it has been wanting to see for what feels like an eternity. 

Could David Benavidez beat Canelo Alvarez? 

Matt Astbury, DAZN News Sportswriter 

For Benavidez, he would be facing Canelo Alvarez at the perfect time. 

The Mexican boxing legend is fading, and his loss to Crawford in September all but confirmed that the curtain is slowly coming down on a historic career. 

When it comes to a winner of a Benavidez-Canelo matchup, I predict Benavidez to triumph. 

Benavidez would show no respect to Alvarez. Going on the front foot, he would look to back Canelo up and then unleash a barrage of punches.

Alvarez is no stranger to being involved in wars, but I think he will struggle to contend with the power in Benavidez's fists and as the fight progresses, I would not be surprised if the American managed to get a late stoppage. 

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