David Benavidez recently decided to move up in weight, where he won by unanimous decision against Oleksandr Gvozdyk to win the vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title. The fight took place as the co-feature to Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin on June 15. Following that bout, Benavidez needed to decide what weight he saw his future at, and “The Monster Bandera Roja” has made his choice.
David Benavidez Moves to Light Heavyweight
Benavidez Ready for New Challenge
Following his win over Gvozdyk, Benavidez needed to decide whether to keep his interim title at light heavyweight or the WBC interim belt he also held at super middleweight.
The Phoenix native was granted a two-week extension to decide, and the big-punching Las Vegas resident has chosen to remain at light heavyweight and vacate his interim strap at super middleweight. The WBC were notified of the decision from Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz.
The Future at 175 Pounds
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has revealed that Benavidez has confirmed he wishes to remain as WBC interim light heavyweight champion and be mandatory to face the winner of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The three-belt champion Beterbiev and the WBA king Bivoil are finally set to collide on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the undisputed crown.
Benavidez has made no secret of his desire to fight “Canelo” Alvarez – but that fight seems unlikely with the WBC showing no sign of ordering the fight and “Canelo” showing no interest in facing the big punching Phoenix native. It’s unclear who Benavidez will face next and when he will return after fighting Gvozdyk with a torn ligament in his right hand and injuring his left hand during the fight. Benavidez vs. the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol, sign me up.
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