David Benavidez Gets Huge Cruiserweight World Title Shot: ‘Come and Get It’

David Benavidez has long been the one chasing big-name opponents, but now he finds himself in the crosshairs of a cruiserweight world champion.

“El Monstruo” is a two-time super middleweight champion who has made no secret of his desire to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for a third chance at the titles.

Canelo ignored a lot of pressure from fans and even, rumor has it, his own networks to fight Benavidez in May, choosing instead to face Jaime Munguia, a fight he comfortably won on points.

As a result, the 27-year-old grew tired of waiting for his shot and moved up to light heavyweight. This Saturday, he will face former 175-pound champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk for his first competition in the new division.

After that, it appears Benavidez will have options as current IBF cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia, fresh off a tough win over Mairis Briedis, welcomed a fight with Benavidez if he moved up again in a other division. Speaking to Fight Hub, Opetaia called it unequivocal.

“If he wants to move up to cruiserweight, go for it.

Cruiserweight is my division, you know, until I get out of it. Come and get it.”

News has now emerged that once Benavidez’s fight concludes this weekend, he will have to make a choice between remaining the WBC mandatory contender to Alvarez’s super middleweight belt or whether he will instead decide to occupy a obligatory place for the winner of the undisputed light. -undisputed heavyweight fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in October.