If David Benavidez speed and volume translated to heavyweight how well do you think he'd do?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Indiantakeaway9, May 2, 2026.


How would he do?

  1. Top 5-10 very good heavyweight

    13 vote(s)
    41.9%

  2. Top 15 solid heavyweight

    8 vote(s)
    25.8%

  3. Could flat-out not compete at world level

    10 vote(s)
    32.3%
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  1. Indiantakeaway9

    Indiantakeaway9 I'm your winkleberry that's mah game banned Full Member

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    I'm not saying he should move to heavyweight as he has been chin checked before but based on the attributes he has which are very special for still quite a big man how do you think he would do?
     
    Indiantakeaway9, May 2, 2026
    Indiantakeaway9, May 2, 2026
    #1
    bjl12 and PopPellegrino like this.
  2. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    I think he could do better then the public would probably anticipate him doing, hes a cagey, fast, gritty pit bull, who p4p is maybe/probably better then many of the top heavies.

    but ultimately I just think hes too small and his power too limited.

    I cant stress enough just how basic Zurdo is, and his slow plodding offense had DB backing to the ropes entirely off of size.

    I dont think it would go well for DB when genuine heavies are walking him there.

    That being said, I have to admit I am notorious for discounting smaller fighters moving up in weight. I tend to overate the benefits of size advantages.
     
    kirk, May 2, 2026
    kirk, May 2, 2026
    #2
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  3. bandeedo

    bandeedo Loyal Member Full Member

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    he gets stopped. blocking with his gloves against his head will not cushion the effects enough from a hw punch, it would still knock his brain around his skull. he doesnt have the natural size to match evenly at that weight. needs a naturally thicker neck and spine to withstand those punches with that defense.
     
    bandeedo, May 2, 2026
    bandeedo, May 2, 2026
    #3
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  4. NoChin

    NoChin Sir Tim Tszyu - Knighted! Full Member

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    No chance
     
    NoChin, May 2, 2026
    NoChin, May 2, 2026
    #4
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  5. SquaredCircle

    SquaredCircle Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He'd get hurt badly against the world level heavyweights. The style wouldn't translate IMO. Cruiserweight is his limit as a top fighter.
     
    SquaredCircle, May 2, 2026
    SquaredCircle, May 2, 2026
    #5
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  6. Nobody

    Nobody New Member Full Member

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    Aug 4, 2023
    Should fight Opetaia before even thinking about HW.
     
    Nobody, May 2, 2026
    Nobody, May 2, 2026
    #6
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  7. Homericlegend03

    Homericlegend03 Active Member Full Member

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    Jul 22, 2025
    A Bridge to far, could probably beat some below world guys just based off his speed and combos but that's about it
     
    Homericlegend03, May 2, 2026
    Homericlegend03, May 2, 2026
    #7
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  8. Homericlegend03

    Homericlegend03 Active Member Full Member

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    Jul 22, 2025
    Maybe the bottom of top 15 in a best case scenario but hes probably gonna beat outweighed by 20+ pounds every fight if he bulks up properly and doesn't just get fight, I cant see an effective 240 David, maybe 220 to 225
     
    Homericlegend03, May 2, 2026
    Homericlegend03, May 2, 2026
    #8
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  9. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Feb 21, 2026
    What if he comes out the same weight as in the fight today? 197 lbs is heavyweight historically and logically.
     
    PopPellegrino, May 2, 2026
    PopPellegrino, May 2, 2026
    #9
    Homericlegend03 likes this.
  10. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    What other narcotics do they sell on this choo-choo train?
     
    UniversalPart, May 3, 2026
    UniversalPart, May 3, 2026
    #10
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  11. drenlou

    drenlou VIP Member

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    Hes not beating Usyk.
     
    drenlou, May 3, 2026
    drenlou, May 3, 2026
    #11
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  12. Homericlegend03

    Homericlegend03 Active Member Full Member

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    Absolutely not.
     
    Homericlegend03, May 3, 2026
    Homericlegend03, May 3, 2026
    #12
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  13. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He could win a certain % of his fights against elite HWs and could compete. But the way the modern sports structured thats not good enough.

    He could do what RJJ did. Wait to get a chance to fight for a title against a favorable champion win then go back down.
     
    HistoryZero26, May 3, 2026
    HistoryZero26, May 3, 2026
    #13
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  14. BoxingIQ

    BoxingIQ Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Joe Frazier, Usyk, Easier, and Holyfield would.like to have a word
     
    BoxingIQ, May 3, 2026
    BoxingIQ, May 3, 2026
    #14
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  15. bandeedo

    bandeedo Loyal Member Full Member

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    Feb 19, 2007
    let them know im right here. then go look at pictures of them at a cw weigh in, and look at davids weigh in, and see if you notice any differences.
     
    bandeedo, May 3, 2026
    bandeedo, May 3, 2026
    #15
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