Anthony Dirrell eyeing September return, but wants to bypass David Benavidez!
Newly crowned WBC Super Middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (33-1-1, 24KOs), who won the green belt for the second time in his career, is looking at a fall return date to the ring.
He is coming off a hard-fought technical decision win over the rugged Avni Yildirim in February, where he suffered a nasty cut over his left eye. Dirrell wants to make sure it’s 100 percent healed before making the first defense of his title.
There has been the expectation that he would face former WBC champion David Benavidez next, who lost the title after testing positive for cocaine. Benavidez is listed as a “champion in recess” meaning once the WBC title is claimed, he will be the automatic mandatory for the new champion.
The former champion expressed how he will definitely uphold his mandatory status in the post-fight press conference after defeating J’Leon Love March 16.
However, Dirrell states there’s a possibility that he could face IBF champion Caleb Plant in a unification bout.
Obviously, a unification bout would trump a mandatory title defense, as written in the WBC rules. As of now, the only thing that seems certain is the new champion will be back in action in September.
3kingsboxing.comwill continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they become available.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
