‘Being Undisputed is Inevitable,’ Says David Benavidez

David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) is currently gearing up for his highly anticipated three-belt cruiserweight unification showdown against Michal Cieslak (28-2, 22 KOs). With the third belt in sight, to say that he is confident would be an understatement. In his own words, nothing will stand between him and the undisputed throne.

With fast hands that did not show any hint of fatigue, the media workout saw Benavidez reminding fans why he deserves to be ‘number one’.

“I got two belts in my first fight at cruiserweight, and now I’m going for a third. Me being undisputed is inevitable. I’m going to make my way to the top of the pound-for-pound list very soon. I will be number one,” he said.

Benavidez is talking like a man who has already seen the ending and is simply waiting for everybody else to catch up. And honestly, there’s a pretty compelling method behind the madness. The Mexican superstar has already crashed the cruiserweight party, dismantling Ramirez in his division debut with a sixth-round stoppage to snatch the WBA and WBO titles. Now, Cieslak stands between him and a third belt.

He’s particularly bullish because he believes his recent run against elite opposition has sharpened the tools that make him such a nightmare. He’s also preparing for Cieslak with multiple tactical options rather than assuming sheer aggression will do the job. But here’s where the ambition gets deliciously outrageous: Benavidez already has Jai Opetaia penciled into his bigger-picture plans for Cinco de Mayo weekend 2027, with an eventual showdown against Oleksandr Usyk also being discussed as a potential undisputed blockbuster.

But as Benavidez is preparing for his upcoming showdown, there is one move that he is confident about and hopes to use a lot more on fight night.

“The past three years, because I’ve been facing top opposition, I’ve been able to sharpen up my style and my skills. I’m working a lot on combinations, defense and body shots, but particularly the jab. The jab opens doors, but it closes doors as well,” he said.

“He’s Gonna Come Strong”

However, that does not mean that Benavidez is taking Cieslak lightly. During the same media workout, he delved into the dangers that his upcoming opponent posed and how he was looking to overcome it.

“I’m always the kind of fighter who has plans A, B and C. So if he wants to complicate things in the first couple of rounds, then I have plans to stop whatever it is that he’s doing well,” he said. “The biggest challenge with Cieslak is that he’s coming into this fight defending his title for the first time. Every fighter has that motivation after winning the title that you really don’t wanna let it go. He’s gonna come in strong, but I don’t run away from any competition.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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