David Benavidez admits he’s ‘not ready right now’ to face one champion: “I have a lot of respect for him”

David Benavidez has ruled out one fight in particular, despite Turki Alalshikh attempting to persuade him with a major opportunity.

The 29-year-old entered his first outing at 200lbs last month, becoming a three-weight world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez for the WBO and WBA titles.

But while his emphatic sixth-round finish would suggest he is a natural cruiserweight, Benavidez clearly feels as though he could benefit from more experience at the weight.

As such, it is hardly surprising that he successfully lobbied the WBC to install him as the mandatory challenger at 200lbs, hoping to secure a three-belt unification match with fellow champion Noel Mikaelian.

The pair are now reportedly in deep negotiations to collide later this year, potentially leaving Zuffa champion Jai Opetaia without an opponent for his next outing.

Whatever the case, though, it certainly appears that Benavidez is eager to remain at cruiserweight, rather than challenge unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Despite coming off a sub-par performance against Rico Verhoeven, who he stopped in round 11 last month, Usyk is still widely considered the top dog of his division.

Reluctant to take a gamble against the Ukrainian, Benavidez has told Luis Parra that not even powerbroker Alalshikh can convince him otherwise.

“[Alalshikh] didn’t talk to me directly, [but] he was talking to the people around me and said he wanted to make that fight. But honestly, I have a lot of respect for Usyk, and I’m not ready for that right now.

“If he came down to cruiserweight then yeah, we could fight at cruiserweight. But I’m not moving up.”

Having been ordered to defend his WBC title against ‘interim’ champion Agit Kabayel, Usyk must now decide whether to pursue their mandated fight or vacate the belt.