The David Benavidez story just took another sharp turn. I can confirm the WBC has canceled the planned Ben Whittaker vs Joshua Buatsi final eliminator, a move that shakes up the light heavyweight order and clears fresh space around the champion. At the same time, Benavidez’s profile just jumped again after Jake Paul admitted he wants no part of him. All of it lands as Benavidez rides a ruthless seventh round TKO of Anthony Yarde and points his compass toward cruiserweight gold on May 2.
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Breaking: The WBC reshuffle opens the lane
The WBC’s decision erases a fast track that had been forming at 175. Whittaker, the Silver belt holder, and Buatsi had been viewed as next-man-up material. With that bout off the books, Benavidez is not pinned to that mandatory and can steer his next steps with more control.
For a fighter already elevated to full WBC champion after Dmitry Bivol vacated earlier this year, this is leverage. It gives his team time to balance two tracks. Keep the 175 title picture stable, then walk into a new division with momentum. For contenders, it is now a scramble. Rankings matter, but timing and activity will decide who actually gets the call.
The canceled eliminator changes the order of entry at light heavyweight. It does not change Benavidez’s champion status or his ability to pursue a move up.
From Riyadh TKO to a Cinco de Mayo leap
Benavidez did not just win in Riyadh on November 22. He broke Yarde down with pressure, steady body shots, and a fast pace that never dipped. The stoppage came in the seventh. The message was simple. He carries power that travels late and a gas tank that punishes mistakes.
Then he raised the stakes. I am told he has locked in a cruiserweight title fight against Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez for May 2, likely in Las Vegas. That is a classic stage. Mexican star, holiday weekend, and a chance to grab a belt in a third weight class. The size jump is real. Cruiserweight is a different world at the scales. Yet Benavidez’s style, quick feet, and sharp combinations should translate.
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Circle May 2 on your calendar. Expect open media workouts in late April, and a lively Mexican fight week vibe in Las Vegas.
What this means for 175 and 200
Benavidez is threading a tough needle. He holds the WBC title at 175, but he is stepping toward 200. The goal is clear, collect hardware and force the biggest names to face him. The path is not simple. Sanctioning bodies have rules. Fight dates and networks can clash. The canceled eliminator gives him breathing room today, not a free pass forever.
If he returns to 175 after May, he will want a unification. If he settles at cruiserweight, he must handle bigger frames and different rhythms. Ramirez is tall, patient, and methodical. That is a test of decision making as much as power.
- At 175, expect a reshuffle for the next mandatory slot
- At 200, Benavidez must manage size without losing speed
- His jab and body work remain the keys in both classes
- Ring activity will drive leverage more than talk
The star effect, and a rare public pass from Jake Paul
Respect in boxing comes in many forms. Today it arrived in a blunt sentence. Jake Paul said he would not want to fight David Benavidez. Love Paul or hate him, that sort of line cuts through the noise. It tells casual fans what the hardcores already know. Benavidez is a problem for anyone near his weight.
This is how a fighter crosses from feared to unavoidable. Clear wins, clean knockouts, and public deference from big names. The sport is a business and a culture. Mexico’s next headliner is staking a claim to its biggest weekend. He brings a relentless style, and a fan base that travels. If the unification doors at 175 do not open soon, he is building a new house at cruiserweight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did the WBC cancel the Whittaker vs Buatsi final eliminator?
A: Scheduling and belt obligations got in the way. The WBC removed the matchup, which changes the short list for Benavidez’s next mandatory.
Q: When and where is Benavidez vs Ramirez?
A: May 2, 2026, with Las Vegas the likely host. Details on arena and undercard are being finalized.
Q: Does this pause Benavidez’s 175 title defenses?
A: It eases immediate pressure from that specific eliminator. It does not remove future mandatory duties required by the WBC.
Q: Who is the most likely next challenger at light heavyweight?
A: With the eliminator gone, contenders will jockey for position. Activity and availability will drive the next order.
Q: What makes Benavidez so dangerous across divisions?
A: Fast hands, steady pressure, and smart body work. He keeps a high pace and lands clean combinations late in fights.
Conclusion
This is Benavidez’s moment, and he is taking it. The WBC reshuffle widens his runway. The Yarde TKO powers his engine. The Ramirez fight could make him a three-division champion. Add a public pass from Jake Paul, and the message is loud. The Mexican Monster is not waiting for invitations. He is writing the next card himself.
