David Benavidez has no interest in super middleweight showdown with Terence Crawford: 'I'm done at 168'

Benavidez’s decision stems from his prolonged pursuit of a fight against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, a matchup that never materialized during Alvarez’s reign as the undisputed super middleweight champion. After years of chasing the fight and ultimately being denied the opportunity, Benavidez opted to move up to the light heavyweight division, where he now holds the WBC title.

"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 his decision is not driven by fear or a lack of confidence in his ability to compete with Crawford. Instead, he cited his focus on maximizing his chances of winning and performing at his best.

"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 history at super middleweight is marked by both success and setbacks. He first captured the vacant WBC title in 2017 with a victory over Ronald Gavril, becoming the youngest super middleweight champion in boxing history at the age of 20. 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).

Benavidez regained 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, resulting in him being stripped of the title once again.

Despite these setbacks, Benavidez remained a formidable force in the super middleweight division, earning the interim WBC title and successfully defending it twice while awaiting a shot at Alvarez. However, the opportunity never materialized, leading Benavidez to move up to light heavyweight in pursuit of new challenges.

At light heavyweight, Benavidez quickly established himself as a top contender, winning the WBC interim title with a victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and then defeating David Morrell for the WBA interim title. With Dmitry Bivol’s undisputed title reign and subsequent vacation of the WBC title, Benavidez was elevated to full WBC light heavyweight champion.

Benavidez is scheduled to defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 22, solidifying his commitment to the 175-pound division.

While Benavidez has closed the door on a potential fight with Crawford, he did express a tinge of disappointment at not being 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."

Crawford’s victory over Alvarez has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, prompting discussions about potential future opponents for the newly crowned super middleweight champion. While Benavidez has ruled himself out, other potential matchups remain on the table.

One possibility is a rematch between Crawford and Alvarez. Despite the one-sided nature of their first encounter, Alvarez possesses a rematch clause in their contract, and a second fight could generate significant revenue. However, Alvarez’s recent elbow surgery and potential recovery timeline could complicate matters.

Another potential opponent for Crawford is David Morrell. Morrell, who also moved up from super middleweight after failing to secure a fight with Alvarez, is a highly regarded contender in the light heavyweight division. A clash between Crawford and Morrell would be a high-stakes battle between two of boxing’s brightest stars.

Jermall Charlo, who has been inactive for an extended period due to mental health issues, could also emerge as a potential opponent for Crawford. Charlo is a former middleweight champion who has also competed at super middleweight. If he can successfully return to the ring and regain his form, a fight against Crawford would be a major attraction.

Other names that have been mentioned as potential opponents for Crawford include Demetrius Andrade, Christian Mbilli, and Edgar Berlanga. Andrade is a former two-division world champion who has recently moved up to super middleweight. Mbilli is an undefeated contender with a reputation for power. Berlanga is a popular fighter with a large following, but his boxing skills are considered to be less refined than those of other potential opponents.

The future of the super middleweight division remains uncertain following Crawford’s victory over Alvarez. With Benavidez ruling himself out and Alvarez potentially sidelined due to injury, Crawford’s next move is unclear. However, the options are plentiful, and boxing fans can expect to see some exciting matchups in the coming months.

The boxing landscape is ever-changing, and the decisions made by fighters like Benavidez and Crawford can have a significant impact on the sport. Benavidez’s decision to remain at light heavyweight opens up new possibilities for his career, while Crawford’s victory over Alvarez has created a ripple effect that could reshape the super middleweight division. As the sport continues to evolve, fans can look forward to witnessing more dramatic moments and unexpected twists in the world of boxing.