David Benavidez shifts focus to cruiserweight division

David Benavidez is shifting his professional focus toward the cruiserweight division. Following his May victory over Gilberto Ramirez, where he claimed the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Benavidez has lost his WBA Regular light heavyweight championship status. This change comes after the WBA requested clarification regarding which weight class he intended to campaign in.

Benavidez is expected to participate in a three-belt unification match against WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on December 12. Looking further ahead, a potential bout with Jai Opetaia is being discussed for 2027. While he retains his WBC light heavyweight title for now, his recent activities suggest a priority on the 200-pound division.

In the light heavyweight division, Ben Whittaker has emerged as a potential future opponent for Benavidez, specifically for a possible UK stadium debut. Although Whittaker currently intends to remain at 175 pounds, both fighters have expressed openness to eventually moving up to the heavyweight division.