David Benavidez targeting cruiserweight fight against former light heavyweight champion: “I think he’s moving up”

David Benavidez has confirmed his light-heavyweight days are a thing of the past, but ultimately believes his most meaningful fights can be made at 200lbs.

The Mexican-American made his cruiserweight debut in May, becoming a three-division world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a vicious sixth-round finish.

In doing so, he claimed the WBO and WBA titles while maintaining his championship status at 175lbs, only to vacate his WBC belt earlier this week and allow the winner of Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson – previously announced as an ‘interim’ title fight – to be crowned a world champion on November 7.

As for his next assignment, Benavidez is expected to face WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on December 5, before pursuing a Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown with Jai Opetaia in 2027.

A move up to heavyweight could then become realistic but, before that, the 29-year-old would like to square off with former undisputed light-heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev.

The Russian has not fought since February 2025, when he lost his four major titles to Dmitry Bivol after winning their first encounter by the same majority-decision margins.

But despite the 41-year-old’s long layoff, Benavidez has told Inside The Ring that he would be keen to face Beterbiev at 200lbs.

“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.”

While not naming Bivol on this occasion, Benavidez has previously expressed an interest in facing the former undisputed champion and, surely, would be willing to do so at 200lbs.