If not Canelo Alvarez, then who? It’s fair to say that the question might have bugged fans, the PBC, and David Benavidez himself, as the latter contemplated which way to steer his career. Despite two years of being next in line, constant callouts, and disposing of opponent after opponent, he has finally decided to carve his path at 175. But it might not turn out the way he wants.

‘The Mexican Monster’ is moving up to 175 and will slug it out against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, at 20-1, for the interim WBC light heavyweight strap. The winner will be inserted to face the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for all the marbles. It’s a smart move. Massive paycheck with the undisputed crown on the line. It’s all Benavidez wanted. With Canelo Alvarez ruling out a similar fight with him, staying at 168 was a dead end for the 27-year-old. However, this is a gamble he might regret.

David Benavidez at 175: more money, more difficult fights

It’s about building his legacy. David Benavidez has been a fighter at 168 with a bigger frame and plummeted the opponents with brute force. He is a natural 175-pound boxer and will not be draining himself out to make the weight. But that also takes away his edge.

The American boxer has a tough fight with Gvozdyk, who is managed by Eddy Reynoso. He will finally match with someone his size. Notably, former WBC lightweight champion Gvozdyk hung up his gloves after a KO loss to Beterbiev in 2019. But he made his comeback last year and has won three consecutive fights, defeating Isaac Rodrigues, Ričards Bolotņiks, and Josue Obando.

If you are not aware, Gvozdyk, 36, has no wear and tear. His only loss came against Beterbiev in a close fight, and he was tagging Beterbiev. The Russian fighter packs a lot of power behind those punches, and it is a difficult introduction fight for Benavidez at 175. While Benavidez does have a chance, the road ahead at 175 will be harder. Bivol and especially Beterbiev, dictate terms at 175, and the odds are heavily stacked against Benavidez. In addition, if there is a rematch clause between Bivol and Beterbiev, Benavidez might have to wait until 2025 to finally have his shot. It’s something that he would have done at 168, too.

A comfortable run at 168: Sweeping the likes of David Morrell

Benavidez, in the 168-pound division, is a top star. The 28-0 record holder has an interim title and has dismantled Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. Now that he has handed a defeat to those top guys, only two names remain.

David Morrell, at 10-0, and Jaime Munguia, at 43-0, are the names he should have fought to stay at the top of the super lightweight division. Then you have the likes of Diego Pacheco, at 20-0, and Edgar Berlanga, at 21-0, who are emerging in the ranks. Benavidez had an exciting fight brewing with Morrell, and that’s a fight that will move the needle. Benavidez could make a splash at 168 and then leave with a bang.

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The former two-time WBC champion had the perfect opportunity to sweep the competition and stand tall as the only man besides Canelo Alvarez. How long would Alvarez have avoided him then? Not really long.

Missing out on the fight he wants: Canelo Alvarez

While Benavidez doesn’t lose his mandatory status even after dropping the fight against Gvozdyk, it doesn’t make much sense. The Phoenix native was in a position to force Alvarez’s hands. The fans are already demanding a showdown between him and Alvarez. After clearing up the division, he would have enough momentum and a stacked resume to get the fight he craved. Therefore, he could have waited on the switch, as Bivol vs. Beterbiev will take a considerable time to settle down and might take a year off Benavidez’s career.

Benavidez could have just stayed at 168 and waited for the opening at 175 after the dust had cleared. He could then plan his move up and rack up the exploits. But he has already made the call, and if he ends up with another interim title, the Canelo Alvarez payday might slip away from his hands.

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What do you make of this decision by David Benavidez? Do you believe he has given up on the Canelo Alvarez fight? Let us know in the comments below.