“I need to make the most important and best fights occur,” Benavidez said. “There’s lots of tough fights on the market. There’s Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, and Jai Opetaia.”
Benavidez explained that Bivol stands because the most sensible goal if he moves back to 175 kilos following the Ramirez fight.
“Bivol, because he has all of the belts at light heavyweight,” Benavidez said. “Then the opposite monster, Beterbiev. By the point I’m done, I would like it so that they can’t say I’m not the perfect.”
Bivol currently holds the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO titles at light heavyweight after defeating Beterbiev of their 2025 rematch to change into the undisputed champion of the division. That victory established Bivol because the central figure at 175 kilos and the opponent many contenders now view as the usual in the burden class.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) previously held the WBC interim title at light heavyweight before agreeing to face Ramirez at cruiserweight, a move that would leave him holding titles in a second division before a possible return to 175 kilos, where Bivol and Beterbiev remain the leading champions. Benavidez has said repeatedly that he desires to face the strongest available opponents during this stage of his profession.
Benavidez also mentioned Canelo Alvarez as a possible opponent, although he acknowledged the fight may never occur.
For now, his immediate task stays the Ramirez fight. Still, his comments made clear that Bivol stands because the opponent he wants if he returns to the sunshine heavyweight division.
Benavidez will face Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) on May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.