Following a masterful performance that crowned him the undisputed light heavyweight champion with a victory over Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol has solidified his place as the king of the 175-pound division. Holding the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO titles, Bivol reigns supreme. Yet, a prominent voice in the boxing world already sees a challenger capable of toppling him from the throne.
Oscar De La Hoya, former multi-division world champion and now respected promoter, has thrown his full support behind a rising force: David Benavidez. A two-time WBC super middleweight champion and current WBC light heavyweight titleholder, Benavidez has caught De La Hoya’s eye as the fighter with the tools to end Bivol’s undefeated streak.
In a conversation with Fight Hub TV, De La Hoya explained his reasoning with conviction: “I would go with Benavidez because he is more active and throws more punches and has better footwork than Beterbiev. He’s smarter up there and knows how to think and how to adjust. I would go with Benavidez.”
The pillars of De La Hoya’s confidence
At just 28, David Benavidez combines physical freshness with tactical versatility. Though slightly younger than Bivol, it’s his sharp reflexes, high volume, and ability to adapt inside the ring that fuel De La Hoya’s belief. “The Monster” has remained undefeated and shown an evolving skill set that matches his hunger for greatness.
Light heavyweight boxer David Benavidez poses on the scale during an official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Is Bivol vs. Benavidez a real possibility?
Intriguingly, the seeds for a potential showdown have already been planted. After Bivol vacated the WBC title to focus on a now-defunct rematch with Beterbiev, the sanctioning body named Benavidez as WBC light heavyweight champion—without him throwing a single punch for it. This unique circumstance only adds fuel to the anticipation of a future clash between two of the division’s most formidable names.
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With both men now holding world titles at 175 pounds, and with momentum building from fans and promoters alike, the question remains: Will David Benavidez be the one to finally dethrone Dmitry Bivol?
