David Benavidez Dismisses Potential Crawford Clash, Cements Future at Light Heavyweight

David Benavidez, the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion, has unequivocally dismissed any prospect of returning to the super middleweight division for a potential showdown with Terence Crawford, the newly crowned unified champion at 168 pounds. Benavidez’s pronouncement effectively shuts the door on a highly anticipated clash between two of boxing’s most dominant forces, as the former two-time super middleweight titleholder firmly plants his flag at the 175-pound limit.

Benavidez’s stance comes on the heels of Crawford’s stunning victory over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on September 13, which saw Crawford capture all four major super middleweight world titles in a dominant display. Alvarez’s subsequent sidelining due to elbow surgery had fueled speculation that Benavidez, long considered a prime contender for Alvarez’s crown, might be tempted to drop back down to 168 to challenge Crawford for undisputed supremacy.

However, speaking to Fight Hub TV, Benavidez emphatically stated that his time at super middleweight is over, regardless of the opponent or potential financial incentives. "I’m done with [super middleweight]," Benavidez declared. "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 his decision is not driven by fear of Crawford, but rather by a commitment to optimizing his chances of success in the light heavyweight division. "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."

The move to light heavyweight represents a significant chapter in Benavidez’s career, marked by both triumph and adversity at super middleweight. He first captured the vacant WBC super middleweight title in 2017 with a victory over Ronald Gavril, becoming the youngest fighter to ever win a world title in the division at just 20 years old. However, his reign was short-lived, as he was stripped of the title in 2018 after testing positive for cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) administered test.

Benavidez rebounded from this setback in impressive fashion, regaining the WBC title in 2019 with a ninth-round stoppage of 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, relinquishing the title on the scales.

Despite these setbacks, Benavidez remained a force in the super middleweight division, securing the interim WBC title and successfully defending it twice while relentlessly pursuing a showdown with then-undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez. However, that opportunity never materialized, leading Benavidez to make the decision to move up to light heavyweight, where he believed he could secure a path to undisputed title contention.

Benavidez’s ascent in the light heavyweight division has been swift and decisive. He captured the WBC interim title with a victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and then added the WBA interim title to his collection with a dominant performance against David Morrell, another fighter who had previously moved up from super middleweight due to a lack of opportunities against Alvarez.

The landscape of the light heavyweight division shifted dramatically when Dmitry Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated rematch, unifying all four major world titles. Bivol subsequently vacated the WBC title, paving the way for Benavidez to be elevated from interim to full world champion.

Benavidez is now scheduled to defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 22, marking his first defense of the full world title. The fight represents a significant test for Benavidez, as Yarde is a seasoned contender with a reputation for power and resilience.

While Benavidez has firmly committed his future to the light heavyweight division, he did express a tinge of regret that he was not the one to dethrone Alvarez from his super middleweight throne. "I kinda felt like that could’ve been me," Benavidez admitted. "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 decision to forego a potential fight with Crawford underscores his focus on establishing himself as the dominant force in the light heavyweight division. With a formidable blend of power, skill, and relentless aggression, Benavidez is poised to make a significant impact at 175 pounds, potentially setting up future clashes with other top contenders such as Artur Beterbiev, Bivol, or even a future showdown with Canelo Alvarez at a higher weight class.

The boxing world now turns its attention to Benavidez’s upcoming title defense against Yarde, as well as Crawford’s next move at super middleweight. While a Benavidez-Crawford clash remains a tantalizing prospect for fans, it appears that the two champions are destined to pursue separate paths, at least for the foreseeable future. Benavidez’s focus remains firmly fixed on conquering the light heavyweight division, while Crawford will likely seek to solidify his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats by defending his undisputed title against other top contenders at 168 pounds.