David Benavidez has opened up about past sparring sessions with Dmitry Bivol as talk grows of a potential undisputed showdown between the two reigning light heavyweight champions.
“The Mexican Monster,” now one of the sport’s top 175-pound fighters, began sparring world-class names like Gennady Golovkin and Kelly Pavlik as a teenager. More than a decade later, the WBC champion is eyeing a unification clash with Bivol, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.
Speaking ahead of his November 22 title defense against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Benavidez recalled his gym battles with Bivol. “I sparred Bivol a lot of times,” he said. “I remember that he was a good fighter. The last time I sparred him I hurt him bad in the fourth round. He’s a great fighter. I don’t take nothing away from him. The last time I sparred him, I was 22 years old. So that was about six years ago. But I do remember that there are some opportunities I could take advantage of.”
Asked who he would prefer to face if no belts were at stake, Benavidez admitted both bouts would offer excitement for different reasons. “I think Beterbiev would be a more fan-friendly fight. It’d be a harder fight. Beterbiev is more rugged, in-your-face. Bivol, you have to hunt him down. I’m willing to fight whoever,” he said.
Read more about upcoming Benavidez vs. Yarde bout.
Image Credit: The Ring