David Benavidez to Sail for 175 If Big Fights Don’t Surface!
During his storied tenure within the super middleweight division, top contender David “Red Flag” Benavidez (25-0, 22 KO’s) has experienced many highs and lows. The high-volume Arizonian has claimed many sensational knockouts, weathered a drug scandal, fell victim to the weight scale and become a world champion twice. Due to his all action-style, Benavidez has even been held up by the fans and many insiders as a leading candidate to duel with boxing cash cow Canelo Alvarez.
Despite all of this, Benavidez, who is ranked #1 (WBC) and #2 (WBO), still finds it mind-bogglingly difficult to secure the matches he really wants. If given his way, Red Flag would happily test his might against Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo and the aforementioned Alvarez. Instead, Benavidez will go to war with experienced veteran David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KO’s) on May 21 in his own Arizona backyard. While Benavidez has an abundance of respect for Lemieux, the Canadian doesn’t represent the pinnacle that he is searching for.
MAJOR FORK IN THE ROAD
In his heart, Red Flag would love to remain in the division that he’s put some much work into and continue to thrive. Yet, if he cannot figure a way through or around his current glass ceiling blocking his further ascension, he is more than ready to move up to light heavyweight.
“Yeah, I definitely feel like if I can’t get the fight with Caleb Plant, [Jermall] Charlo or [Demetrius] Andrade, because I see he is coming up, then I think the next move might be a move to 175.”
In his upcoming bout with Lemieux, the interim WBC 168-pound title will hang in the balance. With this being the case, provided that he is victorious, taking ownership of the trinket may get Benavidez to pumping the brakes in regards to moving up so hastily.
“Like I said I have to take care of this fight. Maybe, if I can’t get those fights, then I might stay in there because you are not going to do all that work in winning another title, winning an interim title and then just leaving it vacant and going up to another weight class. So, we are going to see what the best move is, but my mindset is 100% focused on winning the fight first on May 21 and then we can see what we are going to do.”
Clearly, Benavidez has some things to consider heavily if he is victorious against Lemieux. Luckily, no matter who comes out on top, or what they do next, 3Kings Boxing will be on deck to report it all!
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By: Bakari Simpson
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