WBC Gives David Benavidez 2-Week Extension To Decide Between Mandatory 168 Or 175 Ranks

The WBC has reportedly given David Benavidez a two-week extension to decide between his mandatory spots at 168 and 175.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) moved up to 175 earlier this month and captured the WBC interim light heavyweight title with his victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15. The fight was also for the WBC 175-lb title, which made Benavidez responsible for defeating Artur Beterbiev’s championship belt.

168 or 175: Difficult Food Choices for Gluttons

Not content with being a mandatory WBC 175-lb, Benavidez has reportedly asked the WBC to allow him to retain his commitment at 168 because he wants to challenge Canelo Alvarez for that belt.

If Benavidez has his way, he’ll hold both positions and wait for a high-paying fight to fall into his lap. With that setup, Benavidez couldn’t help but get a big fight and a payday because even if one weight class doesn’t make it, the other has to bounce back.

The problem with Benavidez holding mandatory positions in two weight classes simultaneously is one of fairness. Benavidez is a glutton for holding both spots, taking away a spot from an opponent who has worked hard to get to the top level to fight for a world title. It’s not fair to them.

While Benavidez was victorious in the filet mignon, filling his channel, taking two mandatory places, the other competitors in one of these two weight classes were left with crumbs.

Benavidez needs to decide which of these he takes, and it’s a tough decision because neither is perfect. Canelo has said he wants $200 million to fight Benavidez, and I don’t think so he’s not kidding. He wants that $200M, and you can’t blame him. Why should he be forced to fight a light heavyweight in disguise?

If Benavidez relinquishes his mandatory WBC 175-lb spot in hopes of getting a fight against Canelo at 168, he could be left empty-handed, without a fight, and stuck against regular contenders or second-tier champions.

The Danger of Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

Assuming Benavidez decides to keep his WBC 175-lb mandatory, his career could be headed for the dustbin because he lacks the strength and technical ability to defeat light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Benavidez’s performance against the 37-year-old Gvozdyk showed that he doesn’t deserve to be in the 75-lb division, fighting guys his own age. He is only good at 168 because he is much bigger than his opposition in that weight class. At 175, Benavidez doesn’t have a size advantage and has to rely on his skills, which are inferior to well-trained Russian fighters Bivol and Beterbiev.