Promoter Explains Why Benavidez Changed Weight Class

Samson Lewkowicz, the promoter of American interim WBC light heavyweight (up to 79.4 kg) champion David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs), commented on his client's decision to relinquish his super middleweight (up to 76.2 kg) title and focus on the light heavyweight division.

"David made this decision on his own. Not the trainer, not his father, or anyone else. He decided to compete in the light heavyweight division to create his own legacy and not depend on a single fight. I can say that Mauricio Sulaiman promised David that if he stayed in the super middleweight division, he would mandate Canelo to fight him or vacate the title. It's that simple.

I've been saying for a long time that this fight will never happen. Canelo would never accept it because he is a smart businessman who will make less now but reap the rewards later in a fight against Crawford," Lewkowicz said.

On June 15, David Benavidez won a unanimous decision over Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) to capture the interim WBC light heavyweight title. With a similar belt in the super middleweight division, the World Boxing Council gave Benavidez time to decide in which division he would continue his career.

Mexican undisputed super middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) last fought in May against fellow countryman Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) and won by unanimous decision. The most likely opponent for Canelo is the WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs). The potential fight could take place on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA.