WBC champion eyeing possible unification
Just last week 3KingsBoxing.com along with others reported that David Benavidez had agreed to a deal to fight Matt Korobov. The bout was expected to land on the undercard of the Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr lightweight unification bout.
Apparently Benavidez has had a change of heart as 3KingsBoxing.com has confirmed that the WBC super middleweight champion agreed to a deal with Top Rank Boxing. Benavidez has previously been part of the PBC platform and used Al Haymon as an advisor.
CEO Bob Arum told 3KingsBoxing.com that Benavidez and his company have agreed to a promotional agreement. Last week there was a meeting between the two sides and a deal was reached. Arum said that putting Benavidez on the Top Rank on ESPN platform will help build a possible unification between him and fellow champion Gilberto Ramirez.
“Yeah we signed him. We want to put him on our platform and give him the big fights. He’s a very good fighter and Zurdo is a very good fighter and now we have two very good fighter’s at super middleweight.” Arum said.
Arum acknowledged there’s some legal issues that will need to be handled with Benavidez possibly being under a promotional contract with Sampson Boxing. Sampson Lewkowicz has stated to Boxing Scene that the 21-year-old signed a contract in November of last year that is good through 2021.
Arum said that any further questions could be handled through Top Rank attorneys Dan Petrocelli and David Marroso.
The WBC ordered negotiations to begin between Benavidez and their number two contender Anthony Dirrell. The teams have until June 22nd to reach an agreement or a purse bid will be ordered.
By: Chris Henderson
