David Benavidez could be one fight away from fighting for a world title belt. All that stands in his way is Rogelio “Porky” Medina.

The crossroads bout between the unbeaten Benavidez and Medina will have huge implications when they square off Saturday night at the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.

The 12-round WBC elimination bout will top a Fox Sports 1 telecast, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Benavidez has quickly risen through the ranks of the 168-pound division. Over the last year and a half, the 20-year-old has displayed impressive power in knocking out modest opposition.

In his last bout, on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas, Benavidez (17-0, 16 knockouts) knocked out Sherali Mamajonov in Round 2.

His most significant win as a pro came one fight before that against fringe contender Denis Douglin, whom Benavidez stopped in Round 10.

Benavidez, who made his pro debut at the age of 16, is advised by Sampson Lewkowicz. He is ranked in the top 10 in three of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies.

Medina (37-7, with 31 KOs) has faced a who’s who of super middleweight contenders and world titleholders with mixed results.

He lost to Jose Uzcategui, Marcos Reyes and Badou Jack before stopping J’Leon Love in August 2014. Medina would win his next three bouts before losing a close unanimous decision to James DeGale on April 30 of last year.

In his most recent bout, on Dec. 23 in his hometown of Hermosillo, Mexico, Medina stopped Ramon Olivas in the second round.

Medina is ranked as high as No. 5 among sanctioning bodies (by the IBF).

In a battle of Mexican featherweights, contender Jorge Lara will square off against Mario Briones in a 10-round bout.

Lara (28-0-2, 20 KOs) has not fought since scoring a highlight-reel first-round knockout over former three-division titleholder Fernando Montiel on April 30 of last year. Lara is ranked No. 10 by THE RING, No. 9 by the WBC and No. 8 by the IBF.

Briones (28-5-2, 21 KOs) has won three of his last five bouts.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV.com since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, Boxingscene.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.