David Benavidez To Stay At 175, Ends Canelo Pursuit To Target Beterbiev-Bivol Winner

David Benavidez recognized a lost cause and moved on with his promising career.

The unbeaten two-time super middleweight titlist will campaign in the light heavyweight division moving forward. Confirmation was provided to the WBC, whose interim titles Benavidez held at both 168 and 175 pounds.

Two separate extensions were granted before the choice was made to remain put at his present weight.

“The WBC has just received a letter from @SampsonBoxing exclusive promoter of @Benavidez300 confirming that David Benavidez will continue his career as [a light heavyweight,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 knockouts) mulled the possibility of sticking it out at super middleweight. The years-long goal was a crack at Ring/undisputed champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs). The fight has been in high demand by fans and media alike. However, it has fallen on deaf ears among those in a position to make it happen—particularly Alvarez himself.

The realization of that fight never becoming a reality was never lost on Benavidez. An aggressive campaign was launched to establish himself at least as the top threat at 168. He twice held the full version of the WBC belt but lost it outside the ring on both occasions. He’s since won final eliminators and even the interim 168-pound title but it still never led to an ordered shot at Alvarez.

Benavidez then took the additional step to become the mandatory challenger at 175. That moment came in a 12-round points win over former lineal and unified champ Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) on June 15 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

There was minor concern of more of the same since all the belts are spoken for as well at 175.

Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is the current WBC titlist. He also holds the IBF and WBO belts and is the recognized lineal champ. He is next due to face WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) for the Ring and undisputed championship on Oct. 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Barring any more the sport’s politics, Benavidez is guaranteed a clear path to a date versus whomever prevails.

“He is confirmed as WBC 175 interim champion and is the mandatory contender for the winner Beterbiev vs Bivol,” revealed Sulaiman.

Meanwhile, Alvarez never shook loose claims of clearly avoiding Benavidez, largely viewed as his top threat at 168.

The four-division champ and Ring No. 4-rated pound-for-pound entrant is also receiving pushback over the choices for his next fight date. Alvarez is in advanced stages to secure a title defense versus WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), No 9 at 168. Once finalized, their bout will headline a Sept. 14 PBC on Prime Pay-Per-View event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

No firm update has been provided regarding Benavidez’s next fight. He figures to appear on a PBC show in 2024’s fourth quarter. From there, efforts will be made to secure a May 2025 fight date versus the Beterbiev-Bivol winner.

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