Developing: David Benavidez vs Michal Cieslak Aimed For November/December

The cruiserweight division has been the talk of boxing social media on Tuesday after the announcement that WBC champion Noel Mikaelian will face Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia on September 12, hours after it was reported that Mikaelian had not signed the contract to face unified champion David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs). With that said, sources have told FightsATW that Benavidez will pivot and face WBC interim champion Michal Cieslak (28-2, 22 KOs) in November or December instead of Mikaelian.

Boxing Scene reports that there appear to be disagreements between Mikaelian and his promoter, Don King, regarding their contractual situation. Although that is likely the case, it would be hard to believe that Zuffa would make such a fight announcement without things being sorted out behind the scenes. While that fight looks to be happening, Benavidez, according to sources, has turned his attention to Cieslak instead.

This makes sense, especially if the WBC decides to step in and strip Mikaelian, since they are the ones that ordered the fight with Benavidez. If Mikaelian is indeed stripped, that would elevate Cieslak to full champion status, making his fight with Benavidez for three of the four cruiserweight world titles.

This story is still developing as Don King’s voice on the Mikaelian side in this matter continues to grow louder.

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is a 2x award-winning writer, International Boxing Hall of Fame voter, founder and publisher of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms, including online, network TV, and promotional companies. He is an alumnus of an American Public University and a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, and contributed to The Ring Magazine, FanSidedMMA, and ProBoxTV.

See author's posts