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Shakur Stevenson names the next fighter Benavidez wants to face: “It’s the best fight in boxing”

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Shakur Stevenson names who he wants to see Benavidez face next: “It’s the best fight in boxing”

Shakur Stevenson insisted that David Benavidez fight for the “best fight in boxing” instead of defending his WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles.

Last week, “The Mexican Monster” became world champion in three divisions. dethroning Gilberto Ramirez after a penalty stoppage in the sixth round in his first appearance at 200 pounds.

As a result, Benavidez entered the conversation about a fight with former cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia and possibly even Oleksandr Usyk.

Moving up to heavyweight or even staying at 200 pounds would certainly be a bold move, especially considering Benavidez admitted he weighed just 202 pounds on the night of his triumph over Ramirez.

Based on this information, four-time world champion Stevenson stated that he would prefer to see the 29-year-old drop back down to 175 pounds.

After all, he holds the WBC airy heavyweight title, which he won after Dmitry Bivol vacated the belt following an undisputed victory over Artur Beterbiev in February 2025.

This was because the Russian opted to undergo back surgery rather than face his then mandatory rival, which ultimately led to Benavidez’s promotion from “interim” to full world champion.

But now, as Bivol prepares to face mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30, he may soon want to become a two-time undisputed king.

According to Stevenson, this is the best-case scenario Agnew Podcast that he hopes Benavidez will compete at his more natural weight.

“I don’t think I want to see him fight at 200 pounds. I’d rather see him fight [at 175lbs against] Buffalo [or] Beterbiev.”

“I think so [Bivol-Benavidez is] the best fight in boxing.”

Although the sounds of a potential Usyk fight seem to be getting louder, it is worth emphasizing that Benavidez and Bivol have already started preliminary talks.

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David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois

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"David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois"

David Haye believes Agit Kabayel’s movement and body punching could punish Daniel Dubois for loading up on his shots. The approach that overwhelmed Fabio Wardley could leave Dubois working much harder against the unbeaten German.

Dubois’s second-round stoppage of Wardley showed how destructive he can be against an opponent whose attacks he can anticipate. Kabayel would offer a different test, making him change direction and create fresh openings rather than repeatedly finding the same target.

Haye praised Dubois’s physical qualities but argued that he could benefit from using smaller punches to set up his power shots.

“He’s an absolute machine. Everything is the perfect size heavyweight. He takes a dig. He’s a massive puncher,” Haye said to talkSPORT Boxing.

“I’d like to see him loosen up a little bit. Everything feels very forceful.”

Haye used Lennox Lewis as an example of a heavyweight who could open opponents up before committing to his biggest punches. Against Kabayel, he believes Dubois would need more than force.

“Against Kabayel, that style of just trying to force it won’t work,” Haye said. “He’s slippery, he turns angles, throws to the body.”

Wardley gave Dubois opportunities to land short, powerful counters. Kabayel’s movement could require Dubois to keep adjusting his feet while protecting his body. Loading up and missing would cost energy, particularly if Kabayel made him turn before he could punch again.

That makes the matchup a test of how Dubois creates opportunities when an opponent refuses to remain in front of him. His power could still change the fight, but reaching for a knockout would give Kabayel more chances to work.

Haye called Kabayel “the sleeper,” highlighting his willingness to face dangerous opponents without the promotional attention enjoyed by bigger names.

“He’s the one everyone’s avoided. He’s the one who’s had all these tough fights against unbeaten fighters when nobody else wanted it,” Haye said.

Haye still didn’t pick Kabayel to win. His argument was that Dubois would face a much tougher technical test. The power would remain a threat, but Kabayel could make him work a lot harder to deliver it.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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Joe Cordina Cleared of Assault Charges After Punching Incident: Former Boxing Champions Legal Victory

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"Joe Cordina Cleared of Assault Charges After Punching Incident: Former Boxing Champion's Legal Victory"

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been cleared of assaulting a man he punched outside a petrol station.

The incident outside a garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff, in February led to the 34-year-old being denied entry to the US for a WBO lightweight title clash.

District Judge Charlotte Murphy found Cordina not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O’Brien, 33, following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

She said she was “satisfied” Cordina believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.

“I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances,” she said.

“It is very easy to consider the defendant’s response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge.”

Cordina had been filling up his Land Rover before he approached O’Brien, who had been sitting on the pavement near the petrol station exit.

CCTV footage showed O’Brien pushing Cordina using his shoulder, before the two-time IBF super-featherweight champion punched him with sufficient force to knock him to the ground.

The pair continued to “remonstrate” with one another and exchange blows.

O’Brien, from Pentwyn, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.

Police began to investigate the incident after footage of the altercation was circulated online.

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Lennox Lewis Comments on Anthony Joshuas Decision to Reunite with Ben Davison for Tyson Fury Fight

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"Lennox Lewis Comments on Anthony Joshua's Decision to Reunite with Ben Davison for Tyson Fury Fight"

Anthony Joshua is preparing for his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury and will have Ben Davison by his side after reuniting to his former trainer.

When asked on his thoughts, Lennox Lewis gave an honest verdict on AJ’s decision to team up with Davison once again.

Davison trained Fury for five professional bouts after ‘The Gypsy King’ made his comeback in 2018, including in an iconic draw with Deontay Wilder which many felt Fury had done enough to win.

Since then, Davison was surprisingly appointed as Joshua’s trainer for what turned out to be another five-fight run, with a damning IBF title defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 encouraging ‘AJ’ to make the switch to Team Usyk, where Iegor Golub acted as his cornerman.

Now, after being re-appointed as Joshua’s trainer, Davison is hoping to shake off his unwanted record of zero wins in five career heavyweight world title bouts as a trainer, with three of those losses coming this year when being in the corner for Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.

Speaking with Playbook BoxingLennox Lewis said Davison ‘is a good choice’ for Joshua, as he attempts to overcome Fury and capture the vacant WBA (Super) heavyweight title to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“I think that it is a good choice because Ben Davison has trained Tyson Fury for a little bit. He also knows Anthony Joshua and he also is a good man in the corner for Anthony Joshua because of how he speaks, he gives you confidence and that is what Anthony Joshua needs.

“He needs a guy in there telling him some good stuff to make him react.”

Fury-Joshua will take place on Friday, December 11, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with details regarding the undercard expected imminently.

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