David Benavidez makes bold claim about Dmitry Bivol

On May 2, at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez headlines a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video and DAZN PPV for Ramirez’s WBO/WBA cruiserweight title.

Ahead of his first fight at cruiserweight, Benavidez has appeared on the Ariel Helwani Show and revealed why he believes the fight with Dmitry Bivol hasn’t happened.

David Benavidez vs Dmitry Bivol sparring recollected

Bivol and Benavidez have spoken in the past about their sparring sessions, with Bivol revealing to Fight Hub TV: 

“I respect him as a fighter. He’s a really great fighter. What he’s saying that he wants to fight me and Beterbiev, it means he’s a great fighter. He’s confident, and he wants to achieve more,” said Dmitry Bivol to Fight Hub TV.

“I remember we had a couple of good sparring. It was good moments from my side and some good moments from his side,” said Bivol, talking about the sparring that he had with Benavidez years ago.

Speaking to Helwani, Benavidez was clear he felt he got the upper hand in those spars:

“They can say whatever they want to say… he’s felt my power up close and personal. I felt his power up close and personal too, but I got the better of that. I got the better of that last sparring session we had.

“I don’t let that get to my head because I know I have to come extremely prepared for him, but I feel like that kind of got stuck in his head. We’ve had multiple opportunities to make this fight happen, and it hasn’t happened, so I think that speaks volumes on its own.”

Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez: May 2 full fight card

• Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez, 12 rounds, for Ramirez’s WBO/WBA cruiserweight title
• Armando Resendiz vs Jaime Munguia, 12 rounds, for Resendiz’s WBA super middleweight title
• Oscar Duarte vs Angel Fierro, 10 rounds, super lightweights
• Isaac Lucero vs Alan Sandoval, 10 rounds, super welterweights
• Jorge Chavez vs. Jose Sanchez, 10 rounds, super bantamweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.