Shawn Porter believes David Benavidez’s toughest assignment could arrive between cruiserweight and light-heavyweight, against a former world champion who carries formidable power.
While ‘The Mexican Monster’ has teased an eventual move up to heavyweight, he is more likely to remain at 200lbs, or drop back down to 175lbs, for his next outing.
His last encounter, against Gilberto Ramirez, resulted in a sixth-round stoppage that saw him become a three-division world champion by claiming the WBO and WBA titles last month.
Since then, Benavidez has been named as the WBC mandatory challenger, putting him in line for a potential unification match with cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian.
At the same time, the 29-year-old has expressed interest in facing Jai Opetaia, the consensus No.1 cruiserweight, while also considering a move back down to light-heavyweight, where he still holds the WBC title.
This would purely be in pursuit of a clash with either Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev, who could alternatively enter a rubber match for Bivol’s IBF, WBO and WBA titles.
Beterbiev has not fought since their rematch, which Bivol won by majority decision in February 2025, and is surely approaching the end of his career.
Former world champion Porter, however, has said on his YouTube channel that he feels the 41-year-old knockout artist could still pose problems for Benavidez.
“With Beterbiev, there’s that power. [Even now], he’s still a machine. Of all those guys, I trust Beterbiev’s power to test Benavidez more than anything else.
“Bivol has amazing skill. To me, Opetaia [is] not experienced enough.”
Most would argue that Bivol and Opetaia are a greater threat to Benavidez’s unbeaten record, given that Beterbiev has a history of injuries and is perhaps further removed from his prime.