Asked if a win over Gilberto Ramirez should start that conversation, Benavidez delayed it without closing the door.
“Not yet. I will continue to work my way there. I know I can achieve greatness, but not yet,” Benavidez told the media that he is not ready for the Hall of Fame.
“That’s why I want to get all these big fights. I know I can beat all these fighters, but not yet.”
If Benavidez wants to be a Hall of Famer, he needs to stop looking for outdated icons and start looking at the monsters in their prime. Benavidez’s pressure, combination punches and work rate have been plenty so far, but those traits need to hold their own against elite fighters.
The true test of a Hall of Fame frame is taking on an excellent Jai Opetaia or moving up to heavyweight to face a young, dangerous lion like Moses Itauma.
Benavidez’s resume is still too thin for him to be taken seriously as a future Hall of Fame fighter. While these wins over Caleb Plant were solid, and David Morrell is a serious talent, none of those wins carry the historical weight needed to punch a ticket to Canastota.
The reluctance to jump in with someone like Jai Opetaia is telling. Opetaia represents a level of technical danger and sheer size at cruiserweight that will force Benavidez to prove he can handle a truly elite, obviously bigger opponent.
Picking Gilberto Ramirez instead feels like a move to a belt that carries less risk of a catastrophic loss.
If he wants to be considered a legend, he needs to finally stop taking the path of least resistance and start taking the fights where he’s not the clear favorite.
