David Benavidez Ordered to Fight for WBC Cruiserweight Title

The WBC has officially ordered cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) to make a mandatory title defense against WBA and WBO champion David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs). The order disrupts previously advanced negotiations between Mikaelian and Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia for a unification bout planned for later this autumn. Benavidez enters the mandatory challenge on the back of back-to-back knockout wins over Anthony Yarde and Gilberto Ramirez.