Benavidez Dismisses Crawford Showdown, Affirms Commitment to Light Heavyweight Division

David Benavidez, the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion, has unequivocally stated his disinterest in a potential super middleweight clash against Terence Crawford, effectively closing the door on any speculation of a return to the 168-pound division. Benavidez’s declaration comes on the heels of Crawford’s stunning victory over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, a result that saw Crawford seize all four major super middleweight world titles.

Benavidez, who spent a significant portion of his career vying for a title opportunity against Alvarez, has made it clear that his future lies firmly within the light heavyweight ranks. This decision, he asserts, is not driven by any apprehension towards Crawford, but rather by a desire to maximize his chances of success and maintain optimal performance levels.

"I’m done with [super middleweight]," Benavidez told Fight Hub TV. "I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Crawford. He put on a hell of a performance. He’s up there on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest fighters of all time. Let Crawford do his thing, bro. At the end of the day, I have no interest in fighting Crawford. I have no interest in going down to 168. Yeah, it would be dope winning all the titles, but I’m way past that at 168. I wouldn’t even go down to 168 for Canelo. I’m just being real with you."

Benavidez further emphasized that financial incentives would not sway his decision, as his primary focus is on optimizing his chances of victory and delivering compelling performances.

"I’m not saying I’m scared of Crawford or whatever. Crawford’s the man at 168. That’s his weight class. I’m done at 168. They can throw whatever money they want at me. My job is not only to get the money. My job is to give myself the best chance to win and to give myself the best chance of looking good."

Benavidez’s stance marks a definitive end to a chapter of his career that was largely defined by his pursuit of Alvarez. Despite holding the WBC super middleweight title on two separate occasions, a coveted showdown with Alvarez remained elusive, prompting Benavidez to seek opportunities in the light heavyweight division.

Benavidez’s career has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He initially captured the vacant WBC super middleweight title in 2017 with a victory over Ronald Gavril. However, his reign was short-lived as he was stripped of the title in 2018 after testing positive for cocaine in a test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).

In 2019, Benavidez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight title with a win against Anthony Dirrell. However, his second reign was also marred by controversy, as he failed to make weight for his title defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo in 2020, resulting in the loss of his title on the scales.

Despite these setbacks, Benavidez remained a formidable force in the super middleweight division, securing the interim WBC title and successfully defending it twice while patiently awaiting a title shot against Alvarez. However, as the opportunity continued to elude him, Benavidez made the strategic decision to move up to light heavyweight, where he believed he could secure a more direct path to title contention.

Benavidez’s move to light heavyweight proved to be fruitful. He captured the WBC interim light heavyweight title with a victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and subsequently unified the WBA interim title by defeating David Morrell, another fighter who had previously abandoned the super middleweight division due to the perceived lack of opportunities against Alvarez.

The light heavyweight landscape underwent a significant shift when Dmitry Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated rematch, unifying the division’s titles. Following his undisputed triumph, Bivol vacated the WBC title, paving the way for Benavidez to be elevated from interim to full world champion.

Currently, Benavidez is preparing to defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 22. This fight represents a significant step in Benavidez’s journey as a light heavyweight, solidifying his commitment to the division and his pursuit of further accolades.

While Benavidez has firmly closed the door on a potential fight with Crawford, he did express a tinge of regret that he was not the one to dethrone Alvarez.

"I kinda felt like that could’ve been me," Benavidez said. "That was my moment. If I would’ve got in there, I know I would’ve beat him. … That’s why it didn’t happen, because Canelo knows that would’ve happened."

Benavidez’s perspective underscores the deep-seated desire he harbored to face Alvarez and prove his dominance in the super middleweight division. However, with that chapter now firmly closed, Benavidez is fully focused on establishing himself as a dominant force in the light heavyweight division.

Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo Alvarez has sent ripples throughout the boxing world, creating a multitude of potential matchups and shifting the dynamics of several weight classes. Crawford’s ability to seamlessly transition between weight divisions and conquer established champions has cemented his status as one of the sport’s elite fighters.

Crawford’s options at super middleweight are now vast, with potential opponents including David Morrell, Christian Mbilli, and Edgar Berlanga, all of whom are eager to test their skills against the newly crowned champion. However, Crawford has also hinted at a possible return to welterweight, where he could pursue unification bouts against the division’s other titleholders.

The super middleweight division, once dominated by Canelo Alvarez, is now in a state of flux. With Alvarez sidelined due to elbow surgery and Crawford holding all four titles, the division is ripe for new contenders to emerge and stake their claim. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of the super middleweight landscape.

David Benavidez’s decision to remain at light heavyweight further complicates the picture. Benavidez’s power and aggressive style would have made him a formidable opponent for Crawford, but his commitment to the 175-pound division means that this potential clash will likely remain a hypothetical scenario.

As Benavidez prepares for his title defense against Yarde, he is focused on showcasing his skills and solidifying his position as one of the top light heavyweights in the world. A victory over Yarde would further enhance his reputation and potentially set up future showdowns against other elite fighters in the division, such as Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The boxing world is constantly evolving, with new rivalries emerging and established stars shifting their focus. Benavidez’s decision to remain at light heavyweight is a testament to his strategic approach to his career, as he prioritizes opportunities that maximize his chances of success and allow him to showcase his talent on the biggest stage.

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