Benavidez’s two-fight cruiserweight plan points to Opetaia clash

David Benavidez, 29, is expected to begin a two-fight cruiserweight programme against Michal Cieslak on December 12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The bout would be his first defence since he stopped Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round in May to win the WBO and WBA titles at 200 pounds.

That victory made Benavidez a three-division world champion. He also remains the WBC light-heavyweight champion, but has chosen to continue at cruiserweight rather than return to 175 pounds for a possible undisputed meeting with Dmitry Bivol.

Benavidez successfully sought mandatory challenger status with the WBC at cruiserweight. However, champion Noel Mikaelian had already committed to face Jai Opetaia on September 12, leaving Benavidez in line for a separate contest while that fight is completed.

The December assignment is expected to be against Cieslak, the WBC interim champion. It is not yet clear whether the full WBC title will be available in that contest. Cieslak has not fought since June 2025.

Benavidez’s second planned fight would come against the winner of Mikaelian’s meeting with Opetaia, provided he defeats Cieslak. The proposed sequence would give him a route to the main cruiserweight prize while keeping his focus on the division after his move up from light-heavyweight.

Mikaelian’s fight with Opetaia is scheduled for Las Vegas on the undercard of Ryan Garcia’s bout with Conor Benn. Opetaia is a former IBF champion and currently holds the Zuffa belt, adding further title stakes to the September contest. Benavidez’s immediate task, however, remains the December defence against Cieslak.