WBA TELLS DAVID BENAVIDEZ TO CHOOSE ONE WORLD TITLE

The World Boxing Association has asked David Benavidez to choose between his two world titles, according to a statement on the organisation's account. Benavidez holds the WBA's regular light heavyweight title and unified titles at cruiserweight, making him a champion in both divisions at once. The WBA said its Championships Committee asked him to clarify which title he intends to keep. Under WBA rules, a champion who wins a title in a second weight class must confirm in writing which belt he will retain within five days of the fight, or risk losing recognition of either title, or both.

Benavidez won the WBA's regular light heavyweight title by beating David Morrell by unanimous decision on 1 February 2025, also retaining his WBC interim title at 175 pounds. He then stopped Anthony Yarde on 22 November, defending the WBA belt and becoming a full WBC light heavyweight champion. He subsequently moved up to cruiserweight, where he stopped Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez inside six rounds to take the unified titles Ramirez had held. That win made Benavidez champion in two divisions at once, prompting the WBA's request.

Benavidez's father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr, told ProBox TV that his son plans to fight WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak in December, then Jai Opetaia, and either Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol. He said a possible fourth fight could see his son move up to heavyweight to face former WBA, WBO and IBF champion Andy Ruiz Jr. Ruiz returned this month after two years out of the ring, losing to Damian Knyba, but has said he wants to continue fighting. Benavidez Sr called Ruiz "like family" and said the proposed fights were "very possible to make."