According to Boxrec scoring consensus he beat: SMW Plant 8-4 (the ref allowed Plant to hold excessively in the 2nd half, otherwise he'd have been stopped) 37 year old, previously 40 months retired Gvozdyk 9-3 Morrell 9-3 (Benavidez suffered a flash KD in the championship rounds, the second of his career) This was prior to destroying Yarde in 7 rounds, who claimed post-fight that Benavidez was "one of his two best opponents, along with Beterbiev", ranking him above a past-prime Kovalev. C. Smith could have fought Benavidez for the WBC title but "the offer wasn't good enough." Benavidez is either in or approaching his prime now, about to turn 29. Canelo has been ducking the fight for years. Zurdo Ramirez (+225 underdog) at cruiserweight is up next, May 2026. How far can Benavidez go?
Benavidez will beat the hell out of Callum Smith Bivol outpoints him, but Benavidez will be competitive Opetaia stops him - too big and athletic for Benavidez
Beterbiev probably stops him after being behind on the cards too IMO. One big overhand right and BOOM, we see el pollo bailar
