Noel Mikaelian Ordered to Face David Benavidez in Three-Belt Unification
- Matthew Brown
- 55 minutes ago
- 3 min read
David Benavidez's mission to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion just received a major boost. The World Boxing Council has officially ordered WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian to face Benavidez in a three-belt unification bout.
The ruling follows a petition from Benavidez's team seeking a shot at the WBC cruiserweight title. The WBC approved that request and named Benavidez the mandatory challenger.
In a letter sent to Benavidez's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman explained the decision. According to Sulaiman, the ruling centers on two key factors.
First, Mikaelian failed to make a voluntary title defense within six months of winning the championship. Second, WBC rules allow a champion from a neighboring weight class to request a title shot and become the mandatory challenger.
Benavidez recently moved up from light heavyweight and captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. As a result, he now holds two of the four major belts in the division.
Sulaiman detailed the events leading to the decision in his letter. He stated that the WBC spent months attempting to resolve issues surrounding Mikaelian's title situation.
"The WBC mediated with as much interest and positive intentions without being able to find a final amicable agreement between the parties representing WBC Cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian," Sulaiman wrote.
He also noted that the cruiserweight division has faced ongoing complications. During the WBC's annual convention, officials approved a voluntary defense for the winner of the planned Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian rematch. After that bout, the winner was expected to face two mandatory challengers.
However, six months passed without a voluntary defense taking place.
Sulaiman revealed that Alberto Leon worked with both sides in an effort to settle the disputes. Despite those efforts, no agreement was reached. He added that Mikaelian's management remains at odds with promoter Don King.
Those issues have played a major role in delaying Mikaelian's next fight. Sources told Brunch Boxingthat Mikaelian's manager attempted to move the fighter to Zuffa Boxing. Meanwhile, King maintains that he still has a legally binding contract with the champion.
Benavidez's rise at cruiserweight created a new opportunity. Sulaiman pointed to the undefeated star's success in winning the WBA and WBO titles and his desire to add the WBC belt.
"The WBC Board has voted in favor to order Cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian to fight mandatorily David Benavidez," Sulaiman wrote.
He also described the ruling as a positive outcome after mediation efforts failed.
The decision places Mikaelian in a difficult position. Boxing Scene recently reported that the Armenian-German champion was finalizing a deal to fight Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia.
Sulaiman made the WBC's position clear. If Mikaelian chooses to face Opetaia or any opponent other than Benavidez, he will do so as a former WBC champion.
Although unusual, the ruling is not without precedent.
In 2015, the WBC ordered a purse bid between light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson and unified champion Sergey Kovalev to force a unification fight. That matchup never happened because Kovalev withdrew from the process.
For Benavidez, the order represents another chance to chase boxing history.
The unbeaten champion has pursued undisputed status in two previous divisions without success.
At super middleweight, Benavidez spent years seeking a showdown with Canelo Alvarez. Despite several lucrative offers and both fighters competing under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, the fight never materialized.
Alvarez repeatedly declined the matchup. He cited Benavidez's size advantage and past comments as reasons for avoiding the fight.
Later, Benavidez moved to light heavyweight and positioned himself for another undisputed opportunity. The WBC ordered then-undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol to defend against him.
Instead of taking the fight, Bivol vacated the WBC title.
Now Benavidez stands one fight away from securing a shot at a third undisputed championship opportunity. This time, the path appears much clearer.
If Mikaelian accepts the order, boxing fans could soon see one of the biggest cruiserweight fights in recent memory. Benavidez would enter the ring with three world titles on the line and another chance to accomplish the goal that has eluded him throughout his career.
After falling short of undisputed opportunities at super middleweight and light heavyweight, Benavidez hopes the third time will finally be the charm.
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