David Benavidez recently showcased his quick combination skills in an Instagram post, gearing up for his upcoming fight at 175 pounds on December 14th. While his speed appeared impressive in the video, there are concerns about his power in this weight class. To be a legitimate threat to the winner of the upcoming fight between unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA champ Dmitry Bivol, Benavidez must improve his power game.
There is currently no official announcement regarding Benavidez’s opponent for his December fight, although Jesse Hart has been mentioned as a possible contender. However, fans are expressing disappointment at the prospect of Hart being the opponent, as they were hoping for a more top-ranked adversary. Benavidez needs to face stronger competition to prove his worthiness for a title shot against Beterbiev-Bivol, especially since he has only fought once at 175.
As the WBC mandatory challenger for Beterbiev, Benavidez is in line for a title shot against the victor of the Beterbiev-Bivol matchup. However, there might be a delay in his title shot if the current champions decide to have a rematch. Hence, Benavidez’s fight in December is crucial in maintaining his position as the top contender in the division.
Benavidez claimed the WBC interim light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th. Despite the win, Benavidez struggled in his debut at 175 pounds, attributing his lackluster performance to injuries. His inability to showcase power and endurance in the higher weight class raises concerns about his ability to compete against elite opposition.
In a recent mitt workout shared on Instagram, Benavidez failed to demonstrate any significant increase in power compared to his previous fight against Gvozdyk. This lack of power continuity underscores the challenges he may face against the formidable champions in the division. Without significant improvement in his power punching, Benavidez may struggle to compete at the highest level in the light heavyweight division.