In a bold move that shakes up the boxing world, David Benavidez is set to ascend from the super middleweight ranks to challenge the formidable Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim light heavyweight title. Tired of waiting in the wings for a chance to face the undisputed super middleweight king, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Benavidez is taking his destiny into his own hands.
The announcement, made by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and confirmed by Benavidez’s promoter to renowned boxing reporter Dan Rafael, sets the stage for an early June showdown that has the boxing community abuzz. Despite this leap in weight class, the door remains open for Benavidez to potentially return to 168 pounds for a future clash with Alvarez. Benavidez, a two-time WBC super middleweight champion whose reigns were marred by controversies outside the ring, now aims to establish his dominance in a new division.
His opponent, Gvozdyk, a former WBC light heavyweight champion, has made a remarkable return from retirement, stringing together three consecutive victories to earn this title shot. This bout not only offers Benavidez a fresh start but also positions him as a mandatory challenger for the ultimate prize in the light heavyweight division, setting the stage for an electrifying chapter in his career.
