This week, renowned coach Andre Rozier, talked about a potential clash – David Benavidez vs Artur Beterbiev.
Next month, Benavidez and Beterbiev will battle it out for the fate of their respective careers, with Benavidez making his first foray into the 175-pound light heavyweight division against former World Champion Oleksandr Grozdijk for the WBC interim title. Beterbiev will face Dmitry Bivol as the two battle it out for all four belts in their division, and the winner becomes the undisputed hegemon of light heavyweight.
If Benavidez beats Grozdiek, according to the WBC's previous statement, he will be a forced challenger for Beterbiev, but only if Benavidez can beat Grozdiek and Beterbiev can beat Bivol, otherwise it will be difficult for the two to meet.
Benavidez has expressed his willingness to fight against Beterbiev, as long as he wins the battle with Grozdijk, whether it is against Bivol or Beterbiev, Benavidez will have the qualification for the big fight, but interestingly, Benavidez said that he has fought with Bivol before and is very familiar with each other, and feels that if they meet again, he will "certainly" win, on the contrary, his attitude towards Beterbiev is much more restrained, and at the same time bluntly said that this is a more challenging competition.
Let's assume that Benavidez and Beterbiev will eventually be able to meet, so what if Benavidez can use his age, height, and arm length to overcome Beterbiev?
First, Rozier affirmed Benavidez's 175-pound move, which he considered a huge breakthrough.
"I don't think Benavidez should think about 168 pounds anymore, as we all know, it's very difficult to get up and down, and this is Benavidez's new start as a good fighter, and he should now enjoy the 175-pound moment and seek to fight the best," Rozier said. ”
Rozier added: "When Bivol and Beterbiev step into the ring on June 1st, there will always be an undisputed king, and that's what Benavidez should be aiming for, and then fight to become the new undisputed king. ”
Although Rozier is definitely good for Benavidez, on the issue of the big game against Beterbiev, Rozier believes that Benavidez can't beat the opponent at all. "No one can defeat Beterbiev, and the only way you can defeat him is for the 'Father of Time' to capture Beterbiev," Rozier said. Benavidez can't beat Beterbiev, for Beterbiev, it's just come on, come with me, in short, he'll do things well. ”
The author has always felt that one of the important reasons for Benavidez's strong performance at 168 pounds is that his physique plays a key role, not to deny Benavidez's talent and strength, but to "bully the small" at 168 pounds, as for Benavidez's skills, it may still need to be proven.
Now, at 175 pounds, it's time for him to really test himself, and his next victory over the injured Grozdik is not much of a problem, but what kind of performance will he have against the real masters of his division?