David Benavidez has moved closer to a cruiserweight unification fight with WBC champion Noel Mikaelian as negotiations between the two camps continue.
Benavidez became the division’s leading champion in May by stopping Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and collecting three world titles. Beating Mikaelian would add the WBC belt and leave him only one championship away from becoming undisputed.
The WBC confirmed that talks are progressing and said there is growing optimism that an agreement will be reached. The fight could take place in October or November.
The remaining complication involves the IBF title. Jai Opetaia is seeking reinstatement after being stripped, while the division currently has no clear number-one contender for the vacant championship. Benavidez may therefore have to wait for the IBF situation to be resolved before completing his undisputed bid. He could either compete for the vacant belt or challenge whoever eventually wins it.
Mikaelian remains a serious obstacle, but victory would place Benavidez within one fight of undisputed status and make a major cruiserweight championship event in 2027 increasingly realistic.
Image Credit: PBC