World champion states why Benavidez talks collapsed.
The recent rise of David Benavidez through the divisions has caused those in the boxing world to really consider his true placement among the sport’s very best.
A long-time super-middleweight who twice reigned as the WBC world champion, Benavidez’s time at the weight came to an end when he stepped up to light-heavyweight in 2024.
This arrived after a fight with then-undisputed champion Canelo Álvarez never came to fruition despite the hopes of fans and pundits alike that it would.
However, it was last year that the American was awarded the WBC title at 175 pounds, this taking place when Dmitry Bivol vacated it during his recovery from surgery.
Benavidez would defend this title against Anthony Yarde, then hop up to cruiserweight to dispatch of unified champion Gilberto Ramirez.
Seeking the biggest fights (and with Jai Opetaia under Zuffa Boxing), Benavidez wished to pursue a three-belt title fight against WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelian, a matchup that was reportedly close to getting made.
Only, it was announced recently that Mikaelian will instead be fighting Opetaia on the Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn card, meaning Benavidez will likely fight for the vacant WBC belt against interim titlist Michal Cieslak.
Mikaelian, though, has now given an explanation as to why events transpired the way they did, stating to The Ring‘s Mike Coppinger, “With the Benavidez fight, I agreed to it immediately, and [more than] 60 days [passed]. I never received an agreement … [My manager Anthony Girges] decided we have to see what’s going on there to make a fight happen.
“I have to make a living. I have to fight. I have to make a career. I can’t wait forever. I’m already getting grey hair. It’s either now or never.”
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