David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol sparring details revealed ahead of potential fight: “I hurt him bad” trucc
David Benavidez has experience sharing the ring with a number of world class fighters, both in the gym and on the world stage.
‘The Mexican Monster’ was sparring the likes of Gennady Golovkin and Kelly Pavlik as a 15-year-old, and just over a decade on is now one of the best 175lbs fighters on the planet.
One potential fight that has been touted is between Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol, and it could bring back some painful memories for the Russian.
The two light-heavyweights currently hold all four world titles between them – Benavidez is the WBC champion, while Bivol owns the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.
Right now, Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), is preparing for a title defence against Britain’s Anthony Yarde, while Bivol continues to recover from back surgery in August. The injury is expected to keep the former undisputed champion out of the ring until 2026.
A win for Benavidez on November 22 in Riyadh could increase calls for another undisputed showdown at 175lbs. Speaking to Boxing News, Benavidez reflected on his sparring sessions with Bivol.
“I sparred Bivol a lot of times. I remember that he was a good fighter. The last time I sparred him I hurt him bad in the fourth round. He’s a great fighter. I don’t take nothing away from him. The last time I sparred him, I was 22 years old. So that was about six years ago. But I do remember that there are some opportunities I could take advantage of.”
Another key figure in the light-heavyweight division is Artur Beterbiev, the fearsome Russian who is tied 1-1 with Bivol after two memorable encounters. A trilogy bout between the pair could be on the cards in 2026.
Benavidez was asked who he would rather face if no titles were on the line — Bivol or Beterbiev.
“I think Beterbiev would be a more fan-friendly fight. It’d be a harder fight. Beterbiev is more of a rugged, in-your-face type of fighter. Bivol is more of a you-have-to-go-and-hunt-him-down [fighter]. I’m willing to fight whoever. I think a more fan-friendly fight would be me versus Beterbiev – that would be a great fight. But even me with Bivol would be a great fight, too.”
For now Benavidez’s focus remains on Yarde later this month, on a card that also features Brian Norman defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney.
Ruth Langsford Addresses 'New Man' Rumors Following Split from Eamonn Holmes trucc
Loose Women favourite Ruth Langsford has addressed rumours of her 'new man' following her split from her This Morning co-star Eamonn Holmes almost two years ago
Ruth Langsford has addressed rumours of her 'new man' following her split from Eamonn Holmes. The presenter split from her former This Morning co-star Eamonn, 65, in May 2024 after more than 20 years together and has now spoken out about the idea that there is someone new in her life.
The TV star, 65, was back in her usual seat as anchor on Tuesday's Loose Women alongside Denise Welch, GK Barry and Jane Moore when she mentioned that a 'terrible' Facebook article had been doing the rounds. The story apparently claimed that she had reunited with her childhood sweetheart following her split from Eamonn.
She explained: "Apparently I have a new man. According to this article, that's all over Facebook and I've had friends ringing me up, apparently I met this man when we were childhood sweethearts when I grew up in Belfast, which I didn't, and now it's come full circle after all these years. Terrible, isn't it?"
