As Dmitry Bivol Fight Seems Unlikely, David Benavidez Sums Up Future Plans in 7 Words

David Benavidez was as serious about boxing as one could be when he turned pro back in 2013. Since then, he’s been jumping between weight classes, stacking up wins, and proving he’s the real deal. Last year, he decided to move up to light heavyweight—not because he wanted to, but because Canelo Alvarez wouldn’t fight him, even though he was the WBC mandatory challenger. After a successful victory last year, Benavidez became the Interim WBC champion. And just this past February, he took down David Morrell, securing his spot as the WBA (Regular) champion. With the two victories, the Mexican Monster has become the mandatory challenger for the undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol under both WBC and WBA. So it looks like he would be fighting Dmitry Bivol next, right? Well, not quite.

According to reports, Benavidez Sr. made a “very large offer” to Bivol to make the fight happen with PBC. But here’s the twist. Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, Bivol’s promoter, made it crystal clear that “The David Benavidez fight has never been close.” Instead, he explained that they would do whatever His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wanted. Why? Because, as Hearn put it, “His Excellency has given us 4 fights around the world, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and great opportunities.” In other words, they’re sticking with the Saudis. So, where does that leave David Benavidez? High and dry. However, if history tells us anything, he’s not the type to sit around and wait. And if his latest Instagram post is anything to go by, the 28-year-old is already plotting his next move.

Yesterday, the 30-0 boxer dropped three images on Instagram, casually reminding everyone why he’s still undefeated. He posted clips of his training, showing off his insane speed, slick footwork, and nasty hand combinations. If you take a look, you’ll see exactly why a fight with the 34-year-old undisputed champion would have been a must-watch for boxing fans. His caption? Straight to the point: “Back in the gym staying sharp! Ready for anybody and everybody.” But the real message came in just seven words—just enough to let fans know he’s gearing up for something big. “Let’s get it. It’s my time now 💪💪👑 !!!” So, with Dmitry Bivol pretty much off the table, who’s David Benavidez gearing up to fight next?

Well, once again, Eddie Hearn has the inside scoop. And this time, the name floating around is none other than Callum Smith—Matchroom’s very own Interim WBO light heavyweight champion. Hearn hinted that there have already been discussions about a possible Smith vs. Benavidez showdown. “We’ve had some conversations around Benavidez-Callum Smith,” he revealed. Sounds like a solid matchup, right? Well, not so fast.

Just as quickly as Benavidez set his sights on Smith, someone else might swoop in and snatch the fight right from under him. “And around Callum Smith against [David] Morrell as well,” Hearn added. “Callum Smith’s in a really good position. He’s mandatory [in the WBO rankings]. He won’t be called just yet, but he’s the interim world champion.” Basically, the Liverpool native is sitting pretty right now, especially after his standout performance against Joshua Buatsi last month in Riyadh. But his shot at Bivol? Yeah, that’s still a ways off.

“Unfortunately, when you become undisputed like Bivol, all of these mandatories swing around,” Eddie Hearn informed Boxing Scene. “They’ve got one with the IBF, they’ve got Benavidez, they’ve got Callum Smith. So yeah, I think the belts will free up over the next 12 months.” But Benavidez isn’t the only one eyeing Callum Smith. And if you think Morrell is his only competition, think again.

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David Benavidez-Callum Smith matchup still not a done deal

Former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk isn’t just sitting around either—he’s got his eyes on the top contenders, and Callum Smith is right at the top of his list. While Gvozdyk has a tune-up fight lined up for April 19, his real goal is a showdown with Smith. During a conversation with the Ring Magazine, the 20-2 boxer stated, “Smith vs. Buatsi was a perfect matchup. Both guys showed a good fight to the fans.” So what does he want next? Obviously, to grab an opportunity to fight the WBO Interim World Light Heavyweight Champion.

“I’m ready and I’m here. I can compete at that same level, and I would like to fight Callum Smith. This could be a dream fight and I would like to have it,” the 37-year-old stated. But, if the Smith fight doesn’t happen, he’s open to other top-10 opponents, or even ready to move up to cruiserweight. “I am open to all challenges,” he added.

Anyway, if Artur Beterbiev had won his fight on February 22, everything would’ve been different—no talk of a trilogy, no complications. But with Dmitry Bivol taking the win, things got tricky, leaving David Benavidez in a tough spot. So, who does Benavidez fight next? Given the hints coming from his camp and his post, it looks like Team Benavidez already has a target in mind. Could it be Callum Smith? Or does he have someone else lined up? What do you think?