David Benavidez made the jump up from light-heavyweight to cruiserweight earlier this year, and now his latest update seems set to benefit two British contenders.

Benavidez stepped up from super-middleweight to light-heavyweight just two years ago and ‘The Mexican Monster’ was elevated to WBC light-heavyweight world champion following two wins over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell.

After defending the belt against Anthony Yarde last November, Benavidez then announced that he would next be stepping up 25lbs and challenging unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, but vowed to return to light-heavyweight afterwards.

In May, Benavidez dethroned Ramirez with a dominant six-round stoppage win and career-best performance that caused him to rise the pound-for-pound rankings.

Now, Benavidez has told Inside The Ringthat he will not be returning to the 175lb scene, with his WBC crown set to be relinquished.

“No, [I am not returning to light-heavyweight]. I feel great at this weight-class, I don’t have to lose weight, I have never felt as good as I did for my last fight [against Ramirez]. So, I want to be the reigning champion for a long, long time.”

As a result, the WBC may soon confirm that the scheduled vacant WBC Interim title bout between London’s Joshua Buatsi and Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson will be upgraded to a full vacant WBC light-heavyweight world title contest.

The well-timed rematch between Buatsi and Hutchinson comes two years after Buatsi’s split-decision triumph over the Scotsman and will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, November 7, with a formal WBC announcement anticipated imminently.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is poised to face newly-elevated WBC cruiserweight world champion Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification clash on Saturday, December 12, in Phoenix, Arizona, with a win setting up an all-action clash against Jai Opetaia.

Eddie Hearn has shared his view on Conor Benn‘s performance against Ryan Garcia on Saturday.

Benn came up short in his maiden world title bid as he was stopped inside two rounds by WBC welterweight champion Garcia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

It was Benn’s second fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, after his shock split with long-term promoter Hearn, and the Matchroom Boxing chief told IFL TV that he thought his former fighter looked ‘lost’ against Garcia.

“I’ve been around Conor Benn his whole career and know him pretty well, and I just felt he looked lost. Maybe it was the weight. I don’t know if it was his confidence but he looked lost. In the ring he looked all over the place, jumping around, diving in, and he looked like a rabbit in the headlights.”

Despite their well-publicised split, Hearn did go on to sympathise with Benn, insisting that it isn’t the time for fans to start sticking the boot in.

“I’ve got more reasons than most to throw him to the wolves, but I don’t think there is any need to, look at what he’s done. People will get on his back now and say ‘he’s useless, he couldn’t win a British title, who has he ever beat?’ They might be right but he’s done it.

“I’m not going to sit here now and say he was never any good, because I do think he’s a good fighter and I think he has improved so much, so he deserves a lot of credit for how hard he’s worked to get into that position.”

It’s currently unknown what Benn plans to do next, having released a statement saying he is currently focused on spending time with his family.

McCall, the former WBC heavyweight champion who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in a 1994 upset, fought as recently as June of last year, when he boxed a draw with Carlos Reyes. McCall launched a comeback in November of 2024, when he stopped Stacy Frazier, with “The Atomic Bull” then stopping Gary Cobia before boxing the draw. McCall is currently 61-14-1(40).

Ibeabuchi, who served many years in prison, was unable to box from 1999 to August of last year, when “The President” made a shocking return to the ring in stopping Idris Afinni. Ibeabuchi, a terrific fighter in his short-lived prime, was then decisioned by Kabiru Towolawi in December of last year. Ibeabuchi is currently 21-1(16) and he, like McCall, has never been stopped in a fight.

The organisers of the November 26 fight, to go out on Prizefighting tv.com, have issued a statement in which they stipulate how the fight must generate 12,500 buys via pre-sale, otherwise the fight will not go ahead.

“We are taking this directly to the fans,” the statement reads. “You don’t have to wait on network executives or corporate promoters anymore. If you want to see two true heavyweight legends go to war, show your appreciation with your wallet. It’s $9.95, completely risk-free, and puts the power back where it beloings – with the fans.”

Needless to say with regards to this simply bizarre possible fight, the alarm bells are well and truly ringing, with many boxing fans as well as pundits and fellow fighters being deeply concerened for the health of both men. Will this fight indeed happen as planned?