David Benavidez appears ready to stay at cruiserweight, with talks reportedly moving toward a three-belt unification against WBC champion Noel Mikaelian.
Benavidez had originally suggested his move to 200lbs would be temporary, with a return to light heavyweight and a WBC title defense still in the picture. But his stoppage win over Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez changed the conversation.
Now, instead of going back down for fights with Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev, Benavidez is looking to add another champion to his résumé. Mikaelian reclaimed the WBC cruiserweight title by avenging his controversial loss to Badou Jack and has never been stopped as a professional.
Benavidez’s manager, Sampson Lewkowicz, made it clear why the Mikaelian fight is the priority over a fan-demanded clash with Jai Opetaia.
“We’re not fighting for trophies. We want titles,” Lewkowicz said. “We want the legacy for Benavidez, Opetaia has nothing [for us] besides making a good fight.”
With the IBF title currently outside Opetaia’s hands, Mikaelian represents the more direct route to more belts. Talks with Mikaelian’s promoter, Don King, are said to be progressing, with a deal expected soon.