Mar 25, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; David Benavidez celebrates after defeating Caleb Plant (not pictured) in their Interim WBC Super Middleweight Championship boxing bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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David Benavidez Calls Out These Two Boxers In Pursuit Of Light Heavyweight Supremacy

With big plans ahead, David Benavidez names two light heavyweights as his top targets ahead of title shot!

Boxing fans know the feeling all too well. You watch a fighter demolish opponent after opponent, building an incredible resume, only to see the biggest names dodge them. David Benavidez lived this nightmare at super middleweight for years. The ‘Mexican Monster’ laid waste to everyone in his path, begging for a shot at Canelo Alvarez. But Alvarez always found another fighter. The frustration finally boiled over, and Benavidez made a bold decision that changed everything.

Moving up to light heavyweight wasn’t just about finding new opportunities. It was about escaping the political games that kept him away from the biggest fights. Benavidez brought his devastating power and relentless pressure to 175 pounds, where he quickly captured the WBC title. Two impressive wins later, he sits at the top of a division that’s absolutely loaded with talent. But he refuses to sit around waiting for opportunities to fall into his lap. While unified champion Dmitry Bivol prepares for his trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev, the undefeated Mexican isn’t interested in staying idle. He wants to keep building momentum, and he’s got his sights set on two specific targets.

Also Read: Tyson Fury Refuses To Unretire After Back To Back Losses To Oleksandr Usyk

David Benavidez Calls Out Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde

Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde represent exactly the kind of opposition Benavidez craves. He knows that both Smith and Yarde offer different paths to the same destination: a mandatory shot at whoever emerges from the Bivol-Beterbiev trilogy. The ‘Mexican Monster’ isn’t being picky about which opponent steps up first. His team is actively pursuing both fights.

“Right now, we are thinking about Callum Smith or Anthony Yarde,” said Benavidez via ESPN.

David Benavidez has two names in mind for his next bout 👀 pic.twitter.com/E3t2yrhXHt
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 25, 2025

Smith, the former super middleweight world champion, carries a record of 30-2 with 22 knockouts. The Liverpool native stands 6’3″ with an 78-inch reach, making him a nightmare matchup for most fighters. He represented England at the 2010 Commonwealth Games before turning professional.

The Brit hit a rough patch when he moved up to light heavyweight. Artur Beterbiev absolutely demolished him in January 2024, stopping him in the seventh round in Quebec City. Many thought Smith’s best days were behind him after that brutal loss. But the southpaw showed serious heart when he faced Joshua Buatsi earlier this year.

Anthony Yarde brings a completely different flavor to potential matchups. The Londoner sports a 25-3 record with 24 knockouts, and his power is absolutely terrifying. Yarde can end fights with single punches, as he’s proven throughout his career. His rivalry with Lyndon Arthur produced two entertaining fights, with Yarde finally settling the score in their recent rematch.

For Benavidez, staying active while the division’s top two fighters sort out their business makes perfect sense. He learned from his boxing super middleweight experience that waiting around for perfect opportunities often leads to missed chances. This time, he’s creating his own momentum and forcing the division to revolve around him instead of the other way around.

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Anthony Yarde

Callum Smith

David Benavidez

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!