David Benavidez may have the opportunity to demonstrate his credentials at world level if he faces David Morrell next year.
The pair, who are able to campaign at light-heavyweight and the division below, have been linked to a huge fight in 2025, and the victor will be in a strong position to challenge for a world title.
Benavidez enjoyed plenty of success at super-middleweight as he reigned as world champion with a number of notable wins.
The Arizona man has often displayed a huge desire to test himself against Canelo Alvarez, but when it appeared that fight couldn't be made, he made the leap to 175lbs.
Morrell is looking to make a similar leap and with both men protecting unbeaten records, the stakes are set to be high if their fight actually comes off.
This past weekend, Atur Beterbiev became undisputed champion at light-heavyweight when he defeated Dmitry Bivol via majority decision in a tense battle.
Benavidez has identified the four-belt champion as a fight he’d like to take on in 2025, but his father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr, insists that the threat of Morrell is the immediate focus.
“David’s next fight is David Morrell," said Benavidez Sr when speaking to ProBox TV. "Everyone is super excited about it.
"We’ve been trying to make that fight for three years, but I believe David Morrell needed a little more experience to show the world that he deserves this fight.
“Hopefully, we can get an opportunity to fight Beterbiev. He just won on Saturday. So, hopefully, we can get that.
"But right now, we’re focused on David Morrell. We got to look impressive in order to go to the next level.
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