David Benavidez had become interim WBC light heavyweight champion in June by defeating Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his first fight in that weight category. That made him mandatory against the winner of the fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, which is set to take place on October 12. According to reports, the Mexican Monster is looking to get back to the ring in December to fight for undisputed next year. The opponent is undecided yet, but he has an opponent in mind. And for good reasons.

Back in October 2018, WBO interim junior middleweight champion Terence Crawford had faced Jose Benavidez Jr., who is David’s older brother. And Bud had TKOed him in the 12th round. Seems like avenging the loss is lingering in David’s mind desperately. But even David is not sure if he would get the chance to do that. In a conversation with Mr_Organik on YouTube, David explained why it might not be possible.

Speaking to David Benavidez during the podcast, the host probed him whether he has ever thought about avenging his brother’s loss to Terence Crawford. David replied, “Ya, I’ve been wanting to get it.” Not only get that, but as he put it, “I would love to get it.” However, he also pointed out a technical barrier. “I don’t think he’d come up to 168. I’m not even at 168 anymore…but I’d love to fight or even spar Crawford,” David said. Well, we understand the emotion. But does David not have a bigger goal to chase?

A fight with Crawford does not help Benavidez become undisputed 168 or 175 pounds. Facing the winner of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight would earn him the biggest purse of his career and the opportunity to establish himself as an all-time great. Benavidez had talked about knocking out Bivol during sparring and claimed that it gave him confidence that he would beat him if they fought. In fact, Bivol had also praised David after his win against Gvozdyk.

“I respect him as a fighter. He’s a really great fighter. What he’s saying that he wants to fight me and Beterbiev, it means he’s a great fighter. He’s confident, and he wants to achieve more. I remember we had a couple of good sparring. It was good moments from my side and some good moments from his side,” Bivol had said to Fight Hub TV. Notably, David’s win against Gvozdyk strengthens chatters of a fight between him and undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez that fans have been waiting for in recent years.

Alvarez has already made it clear that the fight would require a massive payday because he believes the 27-year-old would have a size advantage if they face each other. “All I see is that Benavidez weighs 25 or 30 pounds more than I do on the day of the fight, I have no problem with that, but if you want me to fight with him it’s $200 million,” Alvarez had said last month. Interestingly, Crawford has also been chasing for a fight against Alvarez. And he has his reasons for that.

A victory over Canelo presents a massive payday. It also allows him to secure a win against an all-time great, as he would beat a four-division champion who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather and Bivol. If the Canelo vs. Crawford does not happen, the latter might be better positioned to chase undisputed at 154. That would make him undisputed in a third-weight class in the four-belt era. That would largely make him one of the best.

Since both David and Crawford are chasing Alvarez, if their fight gets big enough, the winner could easily lure Canelo Alvarez into the ring. While we don’t know if Benavidez is serious about this fight, his brother Jose, in 2023, definitely was.

Jose Benavidez Jr. wanted to fight Terence Crawford at a higher weight

In November 2023, Jose Benavidez Jr. expressed his desire to fight Terence Crawford again, this time at a higher weight. The former welterweight contender, who was TKOed by Bud in the 12th round, remains proud of his performance, despite the stoppage. “I lasted 12 rounds,” Benavidez told reporters. “Yeah, I got stopped, but I put a helluva fight on. Terence Crawford is the best of the best.”

While both fighters have since taken different paths—Crawford becoming the undisputed champion and Benavidez moving up in weight—Benavidez still holds out hope for a rematch. “I would love a rematch at a higher weight, but that probably won’t happen,” he admitted, acknowledging Crawford’s continued success. Still, Jose Benavidez Jr remains confident in his ability to compete at a higher division, adding, “I’m the only one that’s given him a run for his money.”

That being said, hopefully, Terence Crawford and David Benavidez can settle this in the ring surrounded by fans and not in some gym. Regardless, if this fight does happen, would you be down to watch it?