Benavidez-Cieslak Winner Ordered to Face Opetaia or Risk WBC Title

David Benavidez meets Michal Cieslak next month in a three-belt cruiserweight unification, but victory may not immediately open the door to undisputed status. The winner will be required to face a mandatory challenger who does not currently hold a world title.

Benavidez already holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles following his impressive stoppage of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez earlier this year.

On December 5, Benavidez will attempt to add Cieslak’s WBC belt, moving within one win of the undisputed throne.

The IBF cruiserweight title remains vacant after Jai Opetaia filed legal action against the sanctioning body in hopes of reinstatement. Reports suggest Viddal Riley and David Nyika could compete for the vacant title.

However, at this week’s WBC convention, it was announced that the winner of Benavidez-Cieslak must face Opetaia next or risk being stripped of the WBC 200-pound strap, according to Uncrowned Combat.

“On Tuesday, a representative for WBA (Regular) champion Jai Opetaia said Opetaia would vacate his secondary title if he could be ranked No. 2 in the WBC’s cruiserweight rankings. 

“The request was granted, and on Wednesday it was also confirmed that the Australian would become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the three-belt unification clash between David Benavidez and Michal Cieslak on Dec. 5.”

If Benavidez defeats Cieslak and the IBF does not reinstate Opetaia as world champion, a Benavidez-Opetaia bout is expected in May for three of the four cruiserweight world honours.

Before that, Opetaia will move up to heavyweight for a showdown with Deontay Wilder on the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua undercard on Friday, December 11.

Source link