David Benavidez
20 stories covering David Benavidez — news, results and analysis.
Eddie Hearn Bets on Pat Brown to Hand Jai Opetaia His First Loss
Hearn says the seven-fight British champ can end Opetaia's 31-fight unbeaten run — but not until 2027, and only if the belts are back on the line.
Sep 22, 2026
David Benavidez Told to Pick a Lane as WBA Eyes 175lb Title Strip
The unbeaten 32-0 champ looks set to stay at cruiserweight, and the WBA wants an answer before it clears his light-heavyweight belt.
Sep 22, 2026
Jai Opetaia Wants the Benavidez Fight in Writing: 'Send Me the Date'
Two undefeated cruiserweights, a Cinco de Mayo verbal handshake, and 56 wins between them — Opetaia just wants it on paper before he buys in.
Sep 20, 2026
Paulie Malignaggi Still Leans Opetaia to Beat David Benavidez
Benavidez is 32-0 after bullying his way to cruiserweight, but the two-weight champ says the unbeaten Aussie is still the pick to hand him a first loss.
Sep 17, 2026
Tim Bradley Backs Benavidez to 'Smoke' Opetaia in Cruiserweight Clash
Bradley thinks Opetaia's 30-0 record and pound-for-pound status are inflated. Benavidez, 32-0 with 26 KOs, could meet him for undisputed in 2027.
Sep 16, 2026
Benavidez Cools on Usyk Fight, Sets Sights on Cruiserweight Reign
The unbeaten 32-0 Mexican-American now looks to unify at 200lbs, with a Michal Cieslak title bout locked for December 12.
Sep 15, 2026
WBC Orders Benavidez vs Cieslak, With Opetaia Waiting on the Winner
Benavidez (32-0, 26 KO) must defend against new champ Michal Cieslak before a May 2027 date with Jai Opetaia is officially cleared.
Sep 15, 2026
Opetaia Batters Mikaelyan, Then Calls Out Benavidez for 2026
The unbeaten cruiserweight king (30-0, 23 KO) needed nine rounds to finish Mikaelyan — then set up a superfight with 32-0 David Benavidez.
Sep 13, 2026
Jai Opetaia Wants David Benavidez's Cruiserweight Belts
Two unbeaten champions, 62-0 combined. Opetaia says he'll chase undisputed with or without Benavidez — first he has to get past Noel Mikaelian on Saturday.
Sep 10, 2026
James Toney Crowns David Benavidez as Boxing's Pound-for-Pound King
The Hall of Famer picks the 32-0 three-weight champ over Usyk and Inoue — and Benavidez returns in December for another belt.
Sep 3, 2026
James Toney Says Terence Crawford Couldn't Hack It in His Era
The three-division champ went 92 fights deep and beat McCallum, Barkley and Nunn. He says today's stars — Crawford included — wouldn't survive his time.
Aug 25, 2026
Benavidez Sr Pitches Usyk Superfight to Turki for Cinco de Mayo
David Benavidez sits at 32-0 with 26 KOs. His father wants Oleksandr Usyk for a heavyweight farewell — but Turki Alalshikh isn't committing.
Aug 24, 2026
James Toney Calls Out Shakur Stevenson: "What Has He Done?"
The Hall of Famer says Stevenson's four-division run means little in this era — and picks unbeaten David Benavidez (32-0) as his P4P king instead.
Aug 18, 2026
Benavidez Eyes December 12 Return, Cieslak the Likely Opponent
The undefeated 32-0 cruiserweight looks set for a Phoenix-area homecoming after a three-belt unification with Noel Mikaelian collapsed.
Aug 18, 2026
Benavidez Wants His Belt: Mikaelian Told to Fight or Get Stripped
The WBC is leaning on champ Noel Mikaelian to face 32-0 David Benavidez — or hand over the strap he's booked to defend against Jai Opetaia on Sept 12.
Aug 14, 2026
Canelo vs Benavidez Is Officially Dead, Says Eddy Reynoso
Reynoso says the window shut when Benavidez left 168lbs. Now 32-0 and unified cruiserweight champ, Benavidez is chasing bigger names.
Aug 9, 2026
Benavidez's Undisputed Plan Hits a Wall as Mikaelian Bails
The 32-0 WBO/WBC champ eyed a December 12 unification. Now Noel Mikaelian's gone to fight Jai Opetaia instead, and Benavidez needs a new dance partner.
Aug 5, 2026
Opetaia vs Mikaelian Lands on Garcia-Benn Card — If Don King Allows It
Unbeaten cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia (30-0, 23 KO) meets Noel Mikaelian on September 12, but a Don King lawsuit could blow the whole thing up.
Aug 4, 2026
Benavidez Eyes Mikaelian in November as Cruiserweight Plans Firm Up
Fresh off stopping Gilberto Ramírez in six, the unbeaten 32-0 'Mexican Monster' is closing in on a WBC title unification against Noel Mikaelian.
Jul 29, 2026
Canelo Reveals Why the Benavidez Fight Never Happened at 168
Álvarez says the window closed because Benavidez, 32-0 with 26 KOs, wasn't a champion during his undisputed run. Now they're two divisions apart.
Jul 29, 2026