Who would win a fight between them? Who is the more powerful puncher? We obviously know that Makabu would destroy Benevidez considering the 22 lbs weight advantage. So if that's true, then why is Canelo facing Makabu considered ducking Benevidez when Makabu would be a harder fighter to beat considering the weight difference? Boxing fans have weird standards on how they judge fighters. It's the equivalent of fans trashing Tank Davis for fighting Charlo at 154 instead of fighting a 135 lbs Haney. That's how big the weight difference is.
Makabu would wreck David. Benavidez is not a one punch guy, he wears his opponents down and while Makabu can be hurt, it takes a lot to finish him off. Bellew whether people like him or not, is a big puncher if he catches you right, and even after he rocked Makabu, it took about 10 more flush shots landing to put him down and out. He took the shots of Papin, Cieslak, Mchunu and Kudryashov quite well, and none of them are featherfists. So the idea that he has a glass jaw, is a bi of an exaggeration. Does that mean a non drained Benavidez won't have more power up at Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight? No. He might be an unbridled killing machine up there. Clearly not cutting weight did wonders for Callum Smith power wise. But going up 7 pounds is one thing, but going up 32, that's a huge leap. So in all likelihood, David won't come close to having the power to hurt solid Cruisers with decent chins. But judging by the fact that he was rocked a time or two by Gavril, I'm not sold on him having an uncrackable chin at 168, much less 175 or 200.
I wouldn't say Benavidez has no chance against Makabu at 190, assuming he has adequate time to prepare. I have some issues with the whole "jumping weight to find a cheap challenge" thing, but at least he's willing to face a challenge of some kind. I've actually gotten sold on the Makabu fight and now I'm getting concerned that it won't happen.
I don't know who this guy Makabuu actually is? Nobody knows who Makabuu is? Who is he? Edit. Tnx god for Google. Right. Back to the question. Benavidez would Bellew, Makabuu . You can take that to the bank, 100% . Taller, faster, better reach, better boxing fundermentals. Like a much better chin. Youth. Do we need to go on here...
In a real fight Makabu would take the punches of Canelo and Benavidez and KO them both. Absolutely BRUTALLY. Benavidez would be laid out with his neck twisted back and Canelo would be flattened like Bellew when he was splatted on the canvas with his legs open against Usyk. The thing is Canelo Makabu is not going to be a legit fight its going to a pantomime fake affair like Canelo Kovalev. Kovalev even in his state against Canelo would KO all if not most 160lber over 12 rounds. Too big, too skillful. Weight divisions is a thing and it doesnt matter how skilled you are when the bigger fighter can walk through your punches. Canelos power is hugely overrated like ridiculously. Who did he KO at 154, 140lber Khan, average chinny Kirkland? Who did he KO at 160? 168 (Saunders received an unfortunate injury, Plant fight was a fix like Smith, Yildrim, Kovalev) He looks like he has power because he LOOKS explosive when throwing (and for whatevers in those gloves of his) .. But he just doesn't hit as hard as fangirls believe.
It's so obvious that Makabu would wreck Benavidez yet the fans think fighting Makabu is a "duck" compared to fighting Benavidez.
The real question is: What is the catchweight that Makabu has to make and what is the rehydration limit he has to stick to? Make those low enough and Benavidez kills him. In a proper fight at whatever weight they want to arrive at? Come on! Makabu wrecks him.
