WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has praised David Benavidez following his successful debut at light heavyweight.
Benavidez fought on Saturday night in the co-main event before Gervonta Davis and Frank Martin went head-to-head in Las Vegas.
The American faced former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk and won by unanimous decision, and despite being a mandatory challenger to the WBC super middleweight title held by Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Benavidez is being linked to some big fights at light heavyweight.
One of those could come against WBA champion Bivol who revealed that he respects Benavidez and praised his lofty aspirations in the light heavyweight division.
"I respect him as a fighter,” Bivol said during an interview with Fight Hub TV.
“He’s a really great fighter, and what he’s saying – that he wants to fight me and Beterbiev – it means that he’s a great fighter. He’s confident and he wants to achieve more and more. It’s good.”
Bivol then spoke about his experience when he shared the ring with Benavidez during a number of sparring sessions.
“I remember we had a couple of sparring sessions. I remember it was some good moments from my side, some good moments from his side. But you know, it’s sparring.”
While a fight between Bivol and Benavidez would be an intriguing contest, there will be a long wait before it comes to fruition with the former set to face Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight title later this year.
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