David Benavidez enters talks to face Noel Mikaelian next

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 02: David Benavidez arrives at David Benavidez vs Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez presented by Thomas J. Henry at T-Mobile Arena on May 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Thomas J. Henry) | Getty Images for Thomas J. Henry David Benavidez is reportedly in “advanced” discussions to face Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight unification in his next fight. Lance Pugmire had the report, and the news comes not long after the WBC ordered that Mikaelian defend against Benavidez. It’s rare that the WBC or any sanctioning body orders a unification, but Benavidez is a big name now and gets those “Rolly privileges.” Benavidez (32-0, 26 KO) moved up to cruiserweight in early May, thrashing Zurdo Ramirez to take the WBA and WBO titles and becoming a three-division world champion. The 35-year-old Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KO) regained the WBC belt from Badou Jack in a December rematch. He is a good fighter, and obviously ordering unifications is better than a lot of what gets ordered, but very few will see him having a real chance to upset Benavidez. The report says that Sampson Lewkowciz, part of Benavidez’s team, had a long talk with Mikaelian’s promoter, Don King, which is a reminder to not get too far ahead here, either, because King can be tricky to negotiate with in the last 15 years or so especially. Still, with the WBC behind the idea, that makes it seem likely to happen, at least for now. Is Benavidez vs Mikaelian good for you? Does the unification make it worthwhile, especially if Benavidez simply can’t get anything bigger?

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David Benavidez is reportedly in “advanced” discussions to face Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight unification in his next fight. Lance Pugmire had the report, and the news comes not long after the WBC ordered that Mikaelian defend against Benavidez. It’s rare that the WBC or any sanctioning body orders a unification, but Benavidez is a […]