Shakur Stevenson Wants David Benavidez To Fight Dmitry Bivol

Stevenson says Benavidez should return to 175 pounds instead of staying at cruiserweight

Shakur Stevenson says David Benavidez should return to light heavyweight for a fight against Dmitry Bivol instead of staying at cruiserweight. Stevenson called Bivol-Benavidez the best fight currently available in boxing.

Benavidez stopped Gilberto Ramirez in six rounds last week to win WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and become a three-division world champion. The victory immediately created talk about possible fights against Jai Opetaia or even heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Stevenson believes the better move would be for Benavidez to return to 175 pounds and pursue the fight many fans have wanted since Bivol vacated the WBC title last year.

“I don’t think I want to see him fight at the 200-pound weight class,” Shakur said on The Agnew Podcast. “I would rather see him fight Bivol or Beterbiev.”

Shakur was especially interested in a fight between Benavidez and Bivol, calling it the top matchup currently available in the sport.

“I think Bivol-Benavidez is the best fight in boxing,” Stevenson said.

Benavidez still holds the WBC light heavyweight title after being elevated from interim champion when Bivol vacated the belt following his undisputed win over Artur Beterbiev.

Bivol is scheduled to defend his remaining three 175-lb titles against Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia, though there has already been speculation about a possible Benavidez fight later this year.

Benavidez recently admitted he weighed just over 200 pounds for the Ramirez fight, which has also sparked debate about whether cruiserweight or heavyweight would be the best long-term physical fit for him.

Preliminary talks for a Benavidez-Bivol fight have already been mentioned publicly in recent weeks, although questions remain about whether Bivol’s side is willing to move quickly toward the matchup. Benavidez has also been linked to possible fights against Usyk and Opetaia following his strong cruiserweight debut against Ramirez.

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