LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 25: David Benavidez (L) fights Demetrius Andrade in a WBC super … [ ] middleweight title fight at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez retained his title with a TKO. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
The main goal for David Benavidez for the past several years has been to land a mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez. So far, that hasn’t happened (and it might never happen). That’s why Benavidez is moving up in weight to fight a former titlist in Oleksandr Gvozdyk. And it won’t necessarily be an easy time for Benavidez. Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.
Yes, most of the boxing world is hungering for an Alvarez-Benavidez showdown. And it makes sense. Benavidez is a former titlist at super middleweight, and Alvarez currently is the undisputed 168-pound champion. Benavidez would make the biggest payday of his career by far, and he’d have an excellent chance to beat Alvarez and establish himself as an even bigger boxing star.
But Alvarez simply hasn’t given Benavidez the opportunity. That’s forced Benavidez to move up to 175 pounds and try to establish himself in a new division.
“My plan is to conquer the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions,” Benavidez said. “Whoever comes to the plate, they can get it. I’m ready to fight whoever and beat whoever.”
Next up to the plate is Gvozdyk, who established himself as a champion by sending Adonis Stevenson into retirement in 2018 and taking his light heavyweight title in the process. But that was six years ago, and it includes a four-year spell when Gvozdyk was retired and away from boxing.
He’s had a few wins against nondescript opposition in the past 16 months, but Gvozdyk hasn’t faced a talent like Benavidez in years.
“Even though he’s moving up in weight, he’s still a big guy,” Gvozdyk said. “So, I’m not thinking about that. I’m expecting him to be in the best shape of his career, just like I am.”
Even if Gvozdyk is in his best shape, he’s still a solid underdog. That’s because Benavidez has the kind of talent to potentially challenge Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev to be called the best at light heavyweight.
“Logic says if it is a boxing match,










