David Benavidez could be set to alter his plans after a new world title opportunity was presented to the pound-for-pound star.
‘The Mexican Monster’ became a three-division world champion earlier this month, dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round stoppage in his first outing at 200lbs.
While claiming the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Benavidez still holds the WBC strap at 175lbs, affording him the option to collide with unified champion Dmitry Bivol.
It would now seem, however, that the 29-year-old is targeting WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, who was reportedly finalising a deal to face Jai Opetaia.
The 35-year-old has not fought since his rematch with Badou Jack last December, when he exacted his revenge with a unanimous decision victory to claim the WBC belt.
Mikaelian was subsequently granted the opportunity to make a voluntary title defence, but has now missed his six-month window in which to do so.
As a result, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has responded by ordering a unification match between the Armenian and Benavidez via an official statement.
“Benavidez visited Mexico and has his mind only on winning the WBC cruiserweight championship.
“The WBC has received a letter from his promoter with the petition to mandate WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian to make his first mandatory defence against WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez.
“The WBC Board has voted in favour to order cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian to fight David Benavidez.”
If Mikaelian chooses to pursue a clash with Opetaia, the Zuffa Boxing champion at 200lbs, then he will be stripped of his WBC title.
Benavidez, meanwhile, had seemingly been in talks for a potential showdown with Opetaia as well, though this seems to have been abandoned in favour of the WBC title.
