David Benavidez-David Lemieux Approved For Interim Title Fight

While undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez aims to move to cruiserweight, the WBC won’t be stagnant.

The sanctioning body approved an interim title fight between David Benavidez and David Lemieux. The two boxers have already signed contracts for a 168-pound fight slated for the spring on Showtime, ESPN reported.

A win could move Benavidez one step closer to a title shot against Alvarez.

Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) held the 168-pound title twice before losing it. First, he lost it after testing positive for cocaine and second, he lost it after failing to make weight.

The No. 1 ranked super middleweight was supposed to face Jose Uzcategui last month, but it fell through after Uzcategui tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Kyrone Davis stepped in as a late replacement, but was stopped in the seventh round by Benavidez.

Lemieux (43-4, 35 KOs), also a former middleweight champion, has yet to fight anyone near the top 10 of the division. But the boxer was one of the biggest punchers at 160 pounds, including a wild knockout of Curtis Stevens in 2017.

Fans have argued that Benavidez is the best next opponent for Alvarez. But, some say, Alvarez is “ducking” the matchup.