By Cihat Gemici

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, unbeaten rising contender David Benavidez (17-0, 16 KOs) will meet exciting former title challenger Rogelio "Porky" Medina (37-7, 31 KOs) in a super middleweight world title eliminator that headlines a special Saturday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes May 20 from Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas. 

Benavidez sat down with BoxingScene to discuss his career, the fight with Medina and much more.

You were ordered to take part in the second mandatory eliminator for the WBC super middleweight title and now will face with Rogelio Medina. He is decent fighter and even some people think that he won against current IBF champion James DeGale What do you think about Medina game?

Rogelio is very experienced fighter. Its honour to fight with such a great fighter but I feel like we've done everything great. I spent 3-4 months in training camp and I'm sure that I am ready to face a great fighter and beat him.

What’s next step after Medina?

I'm the second [challenger in line to get a shot] after your guy, the Turkish guy (Avni Y?ld?r?m), so i'll wait my turn.

You were training in Big Bear with Gennady Golovkin and Murat Gassiev How were the sparring session with them ?

GGG is extremely good fighter and powerful fighter. When you spar with him you gotta think a little bit more because of his punches, but he helped me a lot. He helped me to think better and be smarter in the ring. There are more great fighters in Big Bear. I learned a lot in there. We worked really good.

You are tall for GGG and you are similar to Daniel Jacobs. Did you create some trouble for GGG?

We had great sparring actually We both helped each other. I kept my distance and he also tried himself with distance and with my long arms.

Golovkin is possibly going to face Canelo. As a Mexican and a sparring partner of Golovkin, who is your favourite in this bout?

I know both very well. Golovkin is little bit stronger. Golovkin is humble guy, I like him a lot and I think GGG will take that fight.

Your future seems bright, but you need to pass some obstacles like the winner of Callum Smith vs. Anthony Dirrell, who battle for the vacant WBC title.

First of all I have to take my Medina fight. I wanted to be there since I was little kid and now I'm very close to a title shot. Whatever it takes I'm all for it. My conditioner took me to another level. Whoever will win, I'll be ready for him.

What about Avni Y?ld?r?m? I know you wanted to face him. What do you think about Avni? Ahmet Öner (Avni’s manager and trainer) said that Avni would rip out you teeth like he did with DeGale.

I have 16 knockouts, he has 10 knockouts. It’s gonna be a tough fight. But when we step in the ring I guarantee that I'll knock him out.

Have you watched any of Avni’s fights?

Yes I've watched his fights, because before the Rogelio fight became clear I was going to fight with Avni or Rogelio so I wanted to know him. He is good fighter, but there's a lot of flaws in his game. Yes he is strong fighter but you need to be more than strong fighter.