Tim Bradley has suggested that David Benavidez should consider moving up to the 175-pound division to face WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. This advice stems from Bradley’s view that Canelo Alvarez is unlikely to face Benavidez despite public pressure. He predicts Canelo, nearing the end of his career, will choose opponents like Jaime Munguia, leaving Benavidez to look elsewhere for significant challenges.
Benavidez, 26 years old and undefeated, is believed to be big enough to compete at light heavyweight without being undersized. His past sparring sessions with Bivol, in which Benavidez reportedly performed well, add confidence to this suggestion. However, there are potential obstacles. Bivol is scheduled to defend his title against Lyndon Arthur soon and may aim for a unification bout with Artur Beterbiev afterward. Hence, enticing Bivol to fight Benavidez could require a substantial financial offer from PBC.
Bradley acknowledges the difference between sparring and an actual fight, cautioning Benavidez against overconfidence. He notes that fighters who have relied on a size advantage, such as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., often struggle when moving up in weight against similarly sized opponents.
Chris Algieri, another commentator, suggests that Benavidez shouldn’t abandon his pursuit of a Canelo fight just yet. He believes Benavidez could build more pressure on Canelo by defeating notable fighters like David Morrell or John Ryder, demonstrating his dominance over Canelo’s past opponents or dangerous contenders.
The strategy for Benavidez seems to hinge on making significant moves that either set up a lucrative fight with Canelo or establish his prowess in a new weight class. Bradley and Algieri's insights underscore the complexity and strategic planning necessary in navigating the upper echelons of professional boxing.
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