Former WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez 23-0 (20) says he would prefer to face WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo 31-0 (22) rather than IBF 168-pound champion Caleb Plant 21-0 (12).
Before that can happen, Benavidez will need to get past Ronald Ellis 18-1-2 (12) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut on March 13.
“I think we’d both come forward and we’re both warriors and we both have a high percentage of knockouts,” said Benavidez on Max On Boxing.
“So I feel like he can knock me out. I feel like I can knock Jermall Charlo out, so let’s give the fans what they want to see. I think it’s going to be a war from round one to round twelve.”
Charlo recently said he has been vaccinated for coronavirus and has insisted all future opponents will need to be vaccinated too.
“I think it’s just funny. I’ve never heard him put that type of condition on anybody,” Benavidez said.
“I feel like if you take all the tests and all the precautions, I feel like you should be good, vaccination or no vaccination. So I think he’s a little bit nervous now.
“But if he wants me to get vaccinated in order to fight him, I’ll more than likely go get vaccinated. I want to make that fight happen.
“I still have a fight on March 13th. I’m going to take care of my job on March 13th. If he wants me to go get vaccinated to fight Charlo, I’m willing to do it.”
Despite preferring to face Charlo over Plant, the 24-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona insists he has no fear of facing a pure boxer.
“Obviously, if you’re going to fight a boxer, he’s not going to give you the time of day to stay in there and bang with you,” said Benavidez.
“So you’ve got to do certain things to cut them off and make them run into shots. So I’ve worked with a lot of boxers and I’ve worked with a lot of brawlers.
“So whatever style is presented on fight night, I’m going to be ready for it. It’s my job to adapt and be ready for anything.”
Benavidez has a three-fight plan to consolidate his standing in the 168-pound division.
“The first one would be against Charlo, the second one against Caleb Plant, and the third fight ultimately would be against Canelo,” he said.
“I feel like those fights in that order would be amazing for my career and for the world of boxing a well.
“This is the excitement that we need in the super middleweight division.”
Benavidez added he would be happy to face Edgar Berlanga 16-0 (16) in the future but the 23-year-old – who has never been extended past the opening round – would need to up his level of opposition first.
“I think Edgar Berlanga is an amazing fighter. He’s a very strong fighter but I don’t think he’s proven yet,” he said.
“I feel like if he wants to get that fight going, I’m the same age. I’m all for that fight and I think it would be a big fight for Mexico and Puerto Rico.
“I feel like I would beat Edgar Berlanga. So whenever he’s ready to take that fight, I’m ready to take it whenever.
“So tell him to let me know when he wants that fight and we’ll make it happen.”
