Former world super middleweight champion (up to 76.2 kg) American David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) is going to enter the ring in January 2023. And again, not against a top opponent.
Columnist Mike Coppinger reports on productive negotiations between the teams of Benavidez, who currently holds the title of “interim” WBC champion, and the former “interim” IBF champion from Venezuela, José Uscategui (32-4, 27 KOs).
It is worth noting that the boxers were supposed to meet in November last year, but then the fight did not take place due to a positive doping test for Jose.
This year, Benavidez has only one fight on his account – in May, he stopped Canadian David Lemieux in three rounds.
Uskategi also boxed in May, and in the cruiserweight limit, showing as much as 86.8 kg at the pre-match weigh-in. Then he knocked out Mexican veteran Felipe Romero in the 2nd round.
In words, Benavidez really wants to fight the absolute champion Canelo Alvarez, for whom he is the mandatory challenger, and is worried that he will grow old before he gets to him.
