Boxing Update: David Benavidez Leaves Canelo Alvarez Behind, Moves to 175, Opponent Revealed

David Benavidez has had enough. After almost two years of waiting for Canelo Alvarez, he has decided to chart a new path. So what is the new destination? The light heavyweight division. But is the dream match with the super middleweight champion all but buried?

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman turned to his X-handle and announced the details of ‘The Mexican Monster’s next opponent. The latter will slug it out against Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim light heavyweight championship. The winner will then get a shot against the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, which is for all the marbles at 175 and scheduled for June 1.

“Very proud to announce a sensational fight which the @WBCBoxing has approved to sanction for the interim Lightheavyweight championship Benavidez vs Gvozdyk . Wish the best of luck for both champions @Benavidez300 vs @AlexandrGvozdyk @TGBpromotions @premierboxing,” Sulaiman wrote.

The announcement shouldn’t surprise many, as Benavidez, at 28-0 with 24 KOs, has long muted his move up. Despite being the WBC interim champion for almost two years, Canelo Alvarez has refused to fight him and offer him his legitimate shot at the undisputed crown. With Benavidez’s latest move, the fight with the Mexican champion is almost a talk of the past. However, there is still money on the table.

Are there still chances for Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez?

After fighting the likes of Caleb Plant, and Demetrius Andrade and now going against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Benavidez is clear that he won’t let his career stall to wait for a potential Canelo Alvarez paycheck. But there are still chances for him to exchange blows with Alvarez in the squared circle.

Michael Benson has revealed that the PBC’s Al Haymon has put a $55 million guaranteed purse if Alvarez fights Benavidez next. “David Benavidez’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz  has declared that Al Haymon’s PBC have now offered Canelo Alvarez a guaranteed purse of $55million to fight Benavidez next, who will be moving up to light-heavyweight to fight Oleksandr Gvozdyk instead if he turns it down,” Benson wrote on X.

Read More: PBC Ready to Pay “$35 Million” to Canelo Alvarez Only on One Condition

Interestingly, the previous reports suggested friction between the PBC and Alvarez over the latter’s next opponent. While the PBC favored Jaime Munguia, Alvarez was not keen. In addition, Jermall Charlo had shut down the rumors of him meeting Alvarez in a revenge match after Alvarez defeated his younger brother, Jermell, last September.

What do you make of this post by Mauricio Sulaiman? Do you believe David Benavidez will thrive at 175 or should he wait for the Canelo Alvarez fight? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: “He’ll Do Anything to Stay Away”: Jose Benavidez Sr. Calls Out “Scared” Canelo Alvarez for Avoiding David Benavidez Fight, Demands Sanctioning Bodies to Be Fair