Via Sean Jones: The WBC ordered at their convention on Wednesday that the winner of the David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant bout in March would be the mandatory challenger to undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
Benavidez (26-0.23 KO) will defend his provisional 168-lb WBC title against ‘Sweethands’ Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) on a date and location yet to be determined in March.
What WBC didn’t mention is that if Canelo chooses NOT to go head to head with winner Benavidez vs. Plant, he will be stripped of his title.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman indicated today that Canelo is recovering on his surgically repaired left side. There is still no date when Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) will return to the ring. However, if his promoter Eddie Hearn gets his way, Canelo will defend his undisputed 168 lb championship against Dmitry Bivol in May.
With Canelo’s superiority being his last against Bivol, it’s reasonable to assume that his time as the undisputed super-middleweight champion will end with that fight. , which leaves him with no need to face winner Benavidez vs. Plant.
It will be interesting if Canelo chooses to drop his WBC belt to avoid a fight with Benavidez, if he wins in March against super middleweight champion IBF Plant (22-1, 13 KOs).
Fans and the media would laugh like a pack of hyenas if Canelo removed his WBC harness to avoid facing the lion cub Benavidez. It would be a bad look at Canelo’s part if he did that move.
Mauricio Sulaiman: “WBC champion and undisputed champion Saul Alvarez, Canelo Alvarez, and interim champion David Benavidez. Canelo Alvarez has undergone surgery and he is currently in rehabilitation,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said during Wednesday’s conference in Mexico.
“We will be requesting a status from our champion to gauge how long he can return to defend his title,” said Sulaiman.
Sampson Lewkowicz: Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter for David Benavidez, said: “We humbly request that the next fight for Benavidez will most likely be in March against Caleb Plant, and the winner must be a must-have without have any excuses and fight Canelo,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of David Benavidez.
“I want all of the board to improve today that it will be the final elimination match to defend his provisional title and is immediately only mandatory for the next game for Canelo Alvarez. I would say Saul Canelo Alvsarez. They should do a vote now, and it would be much appreciated. “
Sulaiman: “So we have interim champion David Benavidez against No. 1 contender Caleb Plant. Sensational battle and claim to be the winner becomes a must-have candidate for [WBC] assignment.
“So it’s completely acceptable to fight like this with a mandatory opponent. So let’s confirm the chronology of Caleb Plant and David Benavidez”.
Lewkowicz: “It will definitely be in March.”
Sulaiman: “Caleb Plant will fight for the interim title, and the winner will become the division’s mandatory candidate to fight against Canelo Alvarez.”
Lewkowicz: “There must be an agreement with all of you to vote and oblige the elimination of the championship.”
Sulaiman: “It was agreed. If no one has any opinions, it’s a must.”
Lewkowicz: “No second movement?”
Sulaiman: “No.”
