WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has announced that David Benavidez has made the decision to stick to fighting in the 175-pound weight class while holding onto his WBC interim and mandatory standings. Benavidez has chosen to give up his WBC interim title in the 168-pound division due to his frustration over not getting a title opportunity against Canelo Alvarez.
Now, Benavidez is set to be the mandatory contender for the victor of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol bout, vying for the undisputed 175-pound championship. This move follows the news of Canelo Alvarez defending his title against Edgar Berlanga in September. Despite waiting for a title shot for two years, Benavidez has decided to make the jump to the 175-pound division in pursuit of greater financial rewards.
Benavidez is anticipating a potentially lucrative showdown with the winner of the Bivol vs. Beterbiev clash in 2025. The World Boxing Council has officially acknowledged Benavidez’s transition to the 175-pound weight class and his new positions as the interim champion and mandatory challenger.
