PHOENIX – He’s waited a long time, and so they can wait a while now.
Unbeaten David Benavidez was granted a two-week extension by the World Boxing Council on Friday to decide whether he wants to remain mandatory super middleweight challenger to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez or remain an interim light heavyweight titleholder.
Both titles position the 27-year-old Phoenix fighter for a looming major bout.
Although, when Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) will get either bout remains uncertain as undisputed champion Alvarez mulls who he’ll fight next and is likely leaning toward a date with WBA mandatory Edgar Berlanga instead.
The wait for Alvarez has been painful for Benavidez – two years as the No. 1 contender and more than eight months as mandatory.
At 175 pounds, WBC/WBO/IBF champion Artur Beterbiev is due to fight WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol in a match of unbeaten Russians.
Benavidez has said he’s leaning toward remaining the 168 mandatory to Alvarez, and this extension keeps him in place to be a thorn in Alvarez’s side, as the public has suggested Alvarez is dodging Benavidez – perhaps to create a greater purse for the showdown next year.
