David Benavidez is carving a credible career for himself in recent years despite not landing the much-desired clash against Canelo Alvarez. (photo by Ryan Hafey)

The former two-time WBC super middleweight crown holder Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) will next take on David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) in a light heavyweight fight on Saturday headlining a Prime Video pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Over the last 22 months, Benavidez has beaten former 168-pound champion Caleb Plant, stopped then-unbeaten former 160-pound titleholder Demetrius Andrade, and scored a unanimous decision against former 175-pound titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

The winner of Benavidez and Morell will have a stronghold for the shot at the undisputed light heavyweight title once a victor emerges in the rematch between current champion Artur Beterbiev and challenger Dmitry Bivol.

But Benavidez, a -190 betting favorite according to DraftKings, has even bigger plans should they materialize.

“Yeah, definitely cruiserweight is on my radar and I would love to compete at that weight,” Benavidez told The Ring. “I don't even think I would have to cut any weight. Actually I would probably have to gain some weight. I would be a completely different animal at cruiserweight.”

Unlike his relationship with Alvarez, Benavidez is taking a more respectful road to a potential clash against current WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) following his fellow Mexican’s career-best win against Chris Billam-Smith in November.

“I'm proud of Zurdo and I want to congratulate him. He is a very good fighter,” said Benavidez. “If the Canelo fight manifests itself later and happens, I’m going to be 100 percent ready for it when it comes. I'm fighting the best of the best. I’m not talking anymore. I'm letting the track record speak for itself.”

Benavidez also envisions bouncing back and forth between divisions should the right fights become available against other top dogs, such as The Ring and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

“I think so [that I would fight in both divisions]. But for now I want to keep my eyes on the prize for February 1,” said Benavidez. “I have a tough fight in front of me. But I feel that I can come down from cruiserweight to 175. If it's God's plan, then we're going to go for it.”