WBC confirm David Benavidez vs Noel Mikaelian cruiserweight unification

WBC facilitating Champ vs Champ with Mikaelian vs Benavidez

By James Blears

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman says a three-belt cruiserweight fight between Noel Mikaelian and David Benavidez will be a an absolute classic.

WBC Champion Noel hasn’t been able to secure a voluntary defence. And the WBC has ordered him to fight a mandatory against WBA and WBO Champion David Benavidez.

David who is also the WBC light-heavyweight champion, surged up to cruiserweight to take on and defeat Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, via a dazzling  and dazing sixth round TKO to become a three-weight champion.

Benavidez and his team have forwarded a petition to the WBC for this showdown with Noel, who has accepted and is keen to show his mettle in a molten match.

Mauricio said: “This is a huge moment for Boxing. David Benavidez has demonstrated his love and loyalty to the Green and Gold. He has requested to fight for the WBC cruiserweight title. This is humbling, and we will do everything possible to have this fight happen as soon as possible. Noel had a voluntary defence approved, which didn’t happen, so he must now make a mandatory defence. It’s great three belts will be contested.

“We are looking for a unification, and then an undisputed champion. Noel is a great champion and David is a great champion. It’s a fight of champion vs champion.”