Light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev would breeze right through David Benavidez if they ever fought, says a member of the Russian mauler’s team.
John Scully, the former light heavyweight contender and assistant trainer of Beterbiev, just doesn’t see how Benavidez, the 27-year-old super middleweight contender, would be a true threat to his charge.
Beterbiev is coming off yet another dominant showing in a defense of his three 175-pound belts (WBC, WBO, IBF) last Saturday in Quebec City, Canada, stopping England’s Callum Smith in seven rounds to remain undefeated at 20 wins with as many knockouts.
The win has had observers and fans wracking their heads trying to think of legitimate opponents for the Canadian citizen—such as Benavidez, who has made a name for himself as one of the more imposing fighters in boxing.
“I don’t see that as a hard fight for Artur,” Scully said of Benavidez in an interview with FightHype.com. “Honestly. I think he’s made for Artur. If you could say who shouldn’t fight Artur Beterbiev, it would be him. I don’t think that style, being strong, coming on later, you’re not going to do that with Artur.
“Artur wrote that book. He wrote the book. He’s the prototype of the strong guy who gets stronger as the fight goes on. I don’t see it. I don’t see it. Maybe I’m missing something. I don’t see Benavidez as this huge obstacle for Artur. I don’t see that as well.”
Benavidez, who has fought in and around the 168-pound division his entire career, last fought in September, stopping Demetrius Andrade in six rounds at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Beterbiev is expected to enter a highly anticipated showdown with WBA 175-pound titlist Dmitry Bivol later this year, possibly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where influential backer Turki Alalshikh has publicly expressed his fondness for that matchup.
Sean Nam is the author of .