His first defense is expected to come against unbeaten unified titleholder David Benavidez. Polish boxer Michał Cieślak has become the new WBC world cruiserweight champion after the organization declared the title vacant. The WBC had ordered Noel Mikaelian, the then-WBC cruiserweight champion, to defend his title against David Benavidez, an unbeaten American boxer who has won world titles in multiple weight classes and currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts. Instead, Mikaelian agreed to face Jai Opetaia, an undefeated Australian cruiserweight champion. They met on September 12 in Las Vegas. The Australian won by technical knockout in the ninth round. The WBC cruiserweight title was not on the line. Following the bout, the WBC declared the title vacant and elevated its interim world cruiserweight champion, Michał Cieślak, to full champion. The WBC also confirmed that Cieślak must make a mandatory title defense against David Benavidez. The winner is to face Jai Opetaia, who became the mandatory challenger after defeating Mikaelian. Cieślak vs. Benavidez is expected to take place on December 12 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Cieślak (left) will take on David Benavidez in his first title defense bout on December 12 in Phoenix. (Photo illustration: PAP/EPA)
