David Benavidez dominates at cruiserweight but has his sights set on moving back down. Is a jump to heavyweight a realistic goal, or just a future dream?
Debatable.
Could be realistic but the fights need to be the right fights for him up at that division.
He can still be put in big fights near cruiser and 175 pounds also.
Some things to note on this for a minute;
- Won’t move to heavyweight soon — his frame isn’t ready.
- Moved to cruiserweight mainly to secure a big-name fight, not permanently.
- Plans to return to light heavyweight to chase the top names there.
- Heavyweight would prevent him from going back down to 175lbs.
- Only moved up because top light heavyweights were injured — a strategic stopgap.
- Usyk is a great fight but Usyk looks to be just having one moment
- Open to unifying at cruiserweight while also defending at light heavyweight, he claims.
- Only sees heavyweight if his body naturally grows into it years later.
- Speed and combos work at cruiserweight, but heavyweights are much bigger.
- Prioritizes legacy at 175lbs and 200lbs over a risky jump to heavyweight.
The problem is, as Roy Jones proved years ago, once someone goes up to heavy then coming back to any other division is very bad after.
The body crashes and cannot hack it.
Roy Jones after capturing a heavy title against John Ruiz lost his reflexes and timing after that fight after going back to cruiser and 175 pounds.
The science of going to heavy and moving back to lighter divisions just is not good for prize fighters, ever.
So, if Benavidez does do it, surely it shall be at the end of his career, if he is smart.
They are talking about putting David Benavidez in some rather pathetic fights at the moment, he could still fight the likes of Opetaia, Dmitry Bivol or Beterbiev if he is smart also.
The Gilberto Ramirez victory for Benavidez at Cinco De Mayo just gone remains the pinnacle of his career to date.
A fight vs Usyk at heavy is a possible cherry on top of that fight, in theory.
Check out our latest boxing news.