The former two-division champion says Bivol’s speed, timing, and style could hand Benavidez his first loss

Shawn Porter believes Dmitry Bivol has the style to beat David Benavidez if the two light heavyweight stars meet. The former two-division world champion says Bivol’s speed, movement, and ability to make opponents think could create problems Benavidez has not faced before.

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Benavidez has been linked to a fight against Bivol ever since his dominant stoppage victory over Gilberto Ramirez for the unified cruiserweight titles last month. While Benavidez has made it clear that he wants the fight, questions remain about whether he can comfortably return to the 175-pound division.

Porter said Bivol’s style presents a difficult problem for Benavidez.

“Bivol was Bivol [against Michael Eifert]. Does Bivol beat David Benavidez? I think that, [even] if sparring went good for David back then, there is still so much to take into consideration, so many things to consider,” said Porter on his YouTube channel.

“I think that is the style that it takes to beat a Benavidez, or to compete with him, it takes you being fast but also having an amount of power and pop that Benavidez has to be respectful of and be more calculated with.

“If you slow down Benavidez, that gives you more opportunity to beat him.”

Porter’s comments come as Benavidez continues to pursue the fight despite several obstacles standing in the way.

The WBO recently ordered Bivol to make a mandatory defense against Callum Smith, while talks of a third fight with Artur Beterbiev continue to circulate.

Those commitments could leave Benavidez waiting longer than expected for the fight he has repeatedly targeted.