World champion David Benavidez rules out ambitious career move in near future

The entertaining American appeared on Inside the Ring whilst training for his next outing on May 2, in Las Vegas. 

As part of Cinco de Mayo weekend, Benavidez will attempt to become a three-weight world champion when he faces WBA and WBO cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez at the T-Mobile Arena. 

After beating Anthony Yarde in brutal fashion in November, many expected Benavidez to stay at light heavyweight and challenge the likes of unified champion Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. 

However, for reasons outside of his control, Benavidez is having to wait, so in order to keep active, he has decided to chase world honours at cruiserweight. 

If Benavidez does manage to beat Ramirez, then often the natural path would then be a swift move to heavyweight, but for Benavidez, featuring in boxing's blue ribbon division is not on the immediate horizon. 

"I’m not thinking about heavyweight anytime soon. If I’m thinking about heavyweight, maybe in five or six years," Benavidez told Inside the Ring. 

"What I really want to do is become unified champion at 175, and become a dominant champion at 175.

"I’ve been telling you guys I want to get Dmitry Bivol, then Artur Beterbiev, those are two fights the world of boxing wants to see.

"Right now, I can make 175 comfortably, and I feel like we’ve got to make these happen first."

Benavidez promises a more dangerous monster 

Cinco de Mayo weekend will not be the first time Benavidez and Ramirez have shared a ring together, with the pair having previously been sparring partners. 

These experiences have given Benavidez the confidence that he can topple the Mexican world champion, albeit he is not letting it distract him from the task at hand against an experienced opponent. 

"That’s why I wanted to get this fight because I know what I can do to Zurdo Ramirez, but I can’t be cocky," Benavidez continued. 

"I’m putting my faith in the work, and I know with the hard work, a great performance will come out."

At light heavyweight, Benavidez has proven to be a thrilling watch, his seventh round stoppage against Yarde was a prime example, which lived up to 'The Mexican Monster' nickname. 

As he prepares for his cruiserweight debut, Benavidez promised an even more ferocious 'Mexican Monster'. 

"This fight, instead of draining myself, I’m adding more muscle, I’m adding more weight.

"If I was already a monster with extreme conditioning, I can keep it going the whole fight, imagine what I will be like when I don’t have to drain myself.

"I’m going to be the monster times 10."

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