David Benavidez: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

David Benavidez has been dropped from the WBA's light heavyweight rankings as its regular champion, following his move up to cruiserweight, the organization confirmed in its September 30 update.

Boxing News / KO on SI / October 2

Another World Champion Stripped of His Title, Raising Questions About What's Next

While in-ring action should be the primary focus of boxing, the current state of the sport is significantly shaped by logistics and procedural politics.

Boxing News / KO on SI / September 30

Andre Ward Shares Verdict on Jai Opetaia vs David Benavidez

Regardless of division, the fight between two elite fighters for weight-class dominance takes on a different tone. The cruiserweight division will certainly capture the attention of fans and media should the potential matchup between undefeated fighters Jai Opetaia and David Benavidez go forward.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 30

Whittaker Maintains Hope For Benavidez Fight

Ben Whittaker has not given up on facing David Benavidez even after the Mexican-American moved to cruiserweight. The British light heavyweight told ESPN he remains interested in the matchup despite Benavidez abandoning the 175-pound division.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 27

Fury On Facing David Benavidez

Tyson Fury has floated David Benavidez as a potential replacement if his fight with Anthony Joshua collapses, insisting Benavidez would actually pose a bigger threat.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 24

Benavidez's Next Move

José Benavidez Sr. has outlined an ambitious four-fight roadmap for his son David Benavidez that could eventually culminate in a heavyweight debut against former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr.

Boxing News / EssentiallySports / September 22

WBA Issues Ultimatum to David Benavidez After Winning Cruiserweight and Light Heavyweight Titles

David Benavidez remains the only pound-for-pound star who holds titles in two weight classes simultaneously. He’s the unified champion at cruiserweight and also holds the WBA (regular) title at light heavyweight.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 21

Opetaia Rejects Eight-Month Wait For Benavidez

Ring champion Jai Opetaia says he won't wait eight months for David Benavidez and plans to fight twice before their May 2027 showdown. The unbeaten Australian cruiserweight stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round on September 12 and called Benavidez into the ring afterward.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 21

David Benavidez ‘Can Be A Problem’ For Jai Opetaia, Says Teddy Atlas

Jai Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) and David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) have verbally agreed to fight in 2027, with the Cinco de Mayo weekend in May as the target.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 18

Jose Benavidez Snr Discusses Potential Fights With Jai Opetai, Dmitry Bivol, Andy Ruiz And Oleksandr Usyk

MISSION VALLEY, Calif.– There is no question that one of the hottest fighters in boxing today is unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs).

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 18

Jose Benavidez Sr on Daniel Blancas: ‘He Can’t Just Win The Fight, He Has To Look Impressive’

MISSION VALLEY, Calif.– The super middleweight division is bubbling with young fighters on their way up, and one of them is 25-year-old Daniel Blancas (15-0, 7 KOs), who is on Saturday’s fight card headlined by Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 17

Benavidez Expects To KO 'Super Slow' Opetaia

David Benavidez believes he will knock out Jai Opetaia when the two cruiserweight champions collide next year. Benavidez watched from ringside at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday as Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in nine rounds to defend his Ring and Zuffa titles and claim the vacant WBA 'regular' belt.

Boxing News / KO on SI / September 15

WBC Clears the Path for Blockbuster Benavidez-Opetaia Fight

When many fans, casual or hardcore, think of boxing and the excitement that it entails, cruiserweight may not readily come to mind. Yet, the division could be the location of one of the most anticipated fights in years.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 14

WBC Elevates Michal Cieslak To Full Cruiserweight Champ, Unification With David Benavidez Set For December

The cruiserweight division has been on fire in 2026, with fights and controversy, and today’s announcement by the WBC (World Boxing Council) added fuel to the inferno.

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Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 14

Opetaia Calls Out Benavidez After Vegas Knockout

Jai Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in nine rounds Saturday night in Las Vegas and immediately called for a unification fight against David Benavidez. The Australian won the vacant Regular WBA cruiserweight strap at the Zuffa Boxing event, adding to his existing Zuffa and The Ring titles, per MMA Mania.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 13

Opetaia Stops Mikaelian In Ninth, Faces Off With Benavidez

Jai Opetaia halted WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round Saturday night, then confronted WBA titleholder David Benavidez in the ring immediately after the finish.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 9

Opetaia Calls Out Benavidez Ahead Of Mikaelian Fight

Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia challenged David Benavidez to commit to their long-discussed fight, telling ESPN he wants the American to pick a date as he prepares for his next title defense against Noel Mikaelian.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / August 25

Benavidez vs. Opetaia May 2027 Target

Jose Benavidez Sr. has floated a May 2027 date for a fight between his son, David Benavidez, and former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, offering the clearest sign yet that Team Benavidez is open to the matchup.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / August 18

David Benavidez Shows Off Blistering Hand Speed Ahead of Projected Michal Cieslak Fight

David Benavidez will remain active even if his next fight lacks a chance for him to unify the belts. According to Ring Magazine reporter Mike Coppinger, David Benavidez will return to action on Dec.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / June 4

Former Champion Says That David Benavidez Ducked Him

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has never been known for trash talk. But with his rivalry against David Benavidez continuing to simmer, the Russian knockout artist isn’t holding back.

Boxing News / KO on SI / May 2

David Benavidez vs Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez Odds and Prediction

In what could be the biggest fight in Mexican boxing of the year, Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez (48-1) puts the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on the line against David Benavidez (31-0).

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / May 1

David Benavidez Makes Statement at Weigh-In Ahead of Cruiserweight Championship Clash

LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez is stepping into new territory and doing it comfortably. Ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with Gilberto Ramirez, Benavidez weighed in at 196.8 pounds, more than three pounds under the cruiserweight limit for Saturday night’s main event at T-Mobile Arena.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / April 30

Watch David Benavidez and 'Zurdo' Ramirez's Intense Sparring Before Their Fight This Saturday

Just days before the David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez fight this Saturday, May 2, Oscar De La Hoya’s promotion, Golden Boy Boxing, has released

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / April 29

David Benavidez vs Gilberto Ramirez: Preview, storylines

Cinco de Mayo weekend is delivering a marquee matchup as David Benavidez vs Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez takes center stage on Saturday, May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / February 13

David Benavidez Wants To Unify At 175

David Benavidez insists his move to cruiserweight will be temporary not permanent. After stopping Anthony Yarde in November to defend his WBC light heavyweight title, David Benavidez announced he would jump to 200 pounds for his next outing.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / November 23

David Benavidez Announces Next Move

A year of speculation has officially turned into reality: David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is happening. Moments after dismantling Anthony Yarde in seven rounds in Riyadh, WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez revealed his next move and it’s a big one.