David Benavidez at risk of losing world title shot due to WBC decision

Kerr Ferguson

David Benavidez at risk of losing world title shot due to WBC decision
Image credit: Getty

David Benavidez’s bid to become a three-weight world champion has hit a bump in the road.

Fan favourite Benavidez has made just one defence of his WBC light-heavyweight title but will move up to cruiserweight on May 2 in Las Vegas to challenge Gilberto Ramirez for the WBA and WBO belts. He intends to drop back down in weight after the fight to resume his reign.

Benavidez, according to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, will keep hold of his current belt since he put in a formal request and will pay a percentage of the standard sanctioning fee.

However, despite being only involved in that manner, the organisation this week announced a special prize has been created for the ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez vs Benavidez fight, which takes place on Cinco de Mayo weekend, named the ‘Tollan Tlatequi’ belt. The fighters even attended an event and faced off.

As reported by Boxing Scene‘s Lance Pugmire, the WBO and WBA have taken serious issue with the WBC’s attempt to add a token belt, and ‘will not award their belts to the winner’ if it is on the line.

The WBC has regularly introduced special commemorative belts for high-profile bouts, separate from its recognised world championships. These one-off awards are typically tied to major events or cultural celebrations and have been presented to winners of fights involving the likes of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Tyson Fury.

However, and notably, the sanctioning body typically does this when its standard world title is on the line also – not the case for this fight, despite the champion competing.

More is expected soon at a time where the sanctioning bodies are under increased scrutiny in the sport, mainly due to the emergence of Dana White and TKO’s Zuffa Boxing, a new promotional entity set on creating its own championship and leaving the old guard to the side.

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