David Benavidez is on the verge of a three-belt cruiserweight unification fight that would move him within one victory of becoming the undisputed champion.
EverythingBoxing’s Darshan Desai reported that promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told BoxingScene a verbal agreement has been reached for Benavidez to face WBC champion Noel Mikaelian, with contracts expected to be signed this week for a November bout.
A victory would hand Benavidez the WBC title to add to his WBA and WBO straps, leaving only the vacant IBF championship between him and full unification.
The final hurdle is less imposing than it was only a few months ago.
Jai Opetaia’s loss of the IBF title dramatically changed the cruiserweight division. Many viewed the Australian as the division’s most complete fighter because of his southpaw style, relentless pressure, durability, and punching power. Defeating him for the final belt would have erased any doubt about Benavidez’s place atop the division.
Instead, the vacant IBF title will be contested by Floyd Masson and David Nyika on Aug. 8, with Viddal Riley already in line to challenge the winner. None of those fighters has built Opetaia’s reputation or presents the same level of danger.
Benavidez still deserves full credit if he becomes the undisputed champion because titles are earned in the ring regardless of who holds them. A fighter’s legacy is also judged by the opponents he defeats. Winning the fourth belt from Masson, Nyika, or Riley would secure Benavidez’s place in the record books, but the achievement would likely receive greater acclaim had he first beaten the man many considered the division’s toughest champion.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/28 at 9:31 PM
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