David Benavidez captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles last time out and ‘The Mexican Monster’ could be set to further add to his collection, after one world champion has been ordered to face him, or be stripped of his belt.
Having moved up from light-heavyweight and dethroned Gilberto Ramirez in sensational style last month, Benavidez is now in possession of the WBA (Regular) and WBC light-heavyweight world titles, as well as his newly claimed unified cruiserweight crown.
As a result, the 29-year-old has a decision on whether he should return to the light-heavyweight scene or remain up at cruiserweight, where he delivered an arguable career-best display last time out, with a showdown against Jai Opetaia being muted.
However, Benavidez has also been named as the WBC’s mandatory challenger in the cruiserweight division and ordered for a fight with WBC cruiserweight champion, Noel Mikaelian, another who has been linked to a clash with Opetaia.
Should Mikaelian refuse a title defence against Benavidez, WBC President has vowed to strip the Armenian of the belt, in an interview with BoxingScene.
“The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s it. If he takes another fight, he is relinquishing his obligations with the WBC,”
“[There is no deadline] at this time. I’ll be talking to all the different managers. This is a top priority. I’m very much looking forward to making sure this happens.”
If Mikaeilian chooses to proceed with a fight against Opetaia and thus loses his world title, it is expected that Poland-born interim champion, Michal Cieslak, will benefit. He will either be elevated to full world champion and ordered for a first defence against Benavidez, or inserted into a contest for the vacant belt against the three-division world champion.
