Since May of this year, David Benavidez has held world titles in two weight classes.
Benavidez’s win over Gilberto Ramirez is one of the standout performances of the year.
The 29-year-old got his hands on the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles that night, made more impressive considering it was his first fight at 200lbs.
Benavidez’s decision to make the 25lb leap up from light-heavyweight to cruiserweight was a daring one, and the high-octane fan-favourite revealed that he planned on returning to the 175lb scene during the aftermath, in order to defend his WBC and WBA (Regular) belts.
On fight night, however, Benavidez looked to be operating at his very best as he scored a sixth-round stoppage over ‘Zurdo’, with the career-best display leaving him contemplating where his future may lie.
He has now made his decision, nearing an announcement for a three-belt unification showdown with newly-elevated WBC cruiserweight world champion Michal Cieslak – which may then lead to a super fight with Jai Opetaia – and stating he intends to remain at the weight.
Upon hearing that news, the WBA requested formal confirmation as to where ‘El Monstro’ wishes to campaign; unwilling to allow him to retain both the WBA (Regular) light-heavyweight title and the full WBA cruiserweight strap.
The sanctioning body has now released its updated world rankings, with Benavidez no longer named as the holder of the Regular belt at 175lbs.
Consequently, WBA Interim light-heavyweight champion Albert Ramirez looks poised to benefit and his promoter, Camille Estephan, has confirmed to Boxing News that he is ‘expecting’ the Venezuelan to be named as the new WBA (Regular) light-heavyweight world champion in the near future.
As for Benavidez, with his next fights mapped out at cruiserweight, fans will expect the WBC to soon follow suit and declare its light-heavyweight title vacant as to not hold up the division.
