As of late, David Benavidez has grown somewhat discouraged.

After years of poking, antagonizing, and goading some of the top names at 168-pounds into fighting him, Benavidez has yet to face one of the elites in the super middleweight division.

While the 25-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona remains hopeful that he’ll eventually face the likes of Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo, and David Morrell, he could opt to take his talents one division higher.

Although he isn’t in a rush to make the trek seven pounds north, Benavidez does believe that he’ll be as, if not more successful, fighting against bigger men.

Presently, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) views the 175-pound division as one of boxing’s more treacherous weight classes. Amongst a long list of dangerous fighters that it currently inhibits, the former two-time super middleweight belt holder views Artur Beterbiev as the man to beat.  

“He’s a tough fighter, he’s the top dog,” said Benavidez to a group of reporters recently. “Just the way he took Joe Smith apart was amazing.”

As Benavidez alludes to, Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) violently ended the title reign of Joe Smith Jr. in his recent trip to the ring. Already in possession of both the WBO and WBC titles, Beterbiev viewed Smith’s WBO crown as salient to his long-term goals.

The two would officially clash in Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater on June 18th. Unwilling to play things safe from the outside, Smith charged straight ahead, a tactic he would later regret. Three knockdowns and four and a half minutes later, Beterbiev would successfully drape Smith’s title over his shoulder, winning via stoppage in the second round.

Despite the results, the soon-to-be 26-year-old has always exhibited confidence in both his skills and power. Still, even with Benavidez registering six consecutive stoppage victories, the latest coming against David Lemieux in front of his hometown fans in Arizona, he doesn't believe that jumping into a showdown against Beterbiev would be a sagacious decision. Instead, if he were to pack his bags and leave the super middleweight division for good, Benavidez would much rather take his time before facing off against arguably the best fighter at 175-pounds.

“I think I would have to get a couple of fights before I get a fight with him. I don’t want to go up and you know, just take a title shot. I gotta go up the ranks. I respect boxing, I respect the ranking systems. It would be a great fight and I think we’ll get there.”