Benavidez Eyes Cruiserweight Showdown with Former Light‑Heavyweight Monarch Artur Beterbiev Ahead of Planned Heavyweight Move

David Benavidez has confirmed that his days as a light‑heavyweight are behind him, signaling that his next significant challenges will likely come at the 200‑lb cruiserweight limit.

The Mexican‑American made his cruiserweight debut in May, clinching a three‑division world championship by stopping Gilberto Ramirez in a blistering sixth‑round finish.

In doing so, he captured both the WBO and WBA titles while retaining his 175‑lb championship status, before vacating his WBC belt earlier this week to allow the winner of Joshua Buatsi versus Willy Hutchinson—an “interim” title bout—to be crowned on November 7.

Benavidez’s immediate plans involve a December 5 showdown against WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak, followed by a Cinco de Mayo weekend clash with Jai Opetaia slated for 2027.

A shift to heavyweight could become realistic later, but the 29‑year‑old first aims to face former undisputed light‑heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev.

The Russian has been inactive since February 2025, when he lost his four major titles to Dmitry Bivol after having won their initial bout by majority decision.

Despite Beterbiev’s extended hiatus at age 41, Benavidez told Inside The Ring that he is eager to confront the former champion at 200 lbs.

“The heavyweight division is definitely a division I’ve got my eyes on. [But] we’ve got two great fights at cruiserweight before we get up there.

“We’ve got Jai Opetaia, then I think Beterbiev is going to come up to cruiserweight.”

Although he did not mention Bivol in this interview, Benavidez has previously voiced interest in facing the former undisputed champion and would likely accept such a challenge at the 200‑lb mark.

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