WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has named David Benavidez as the mandatory challenger for Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's undisputed super middleweight title.
Alvarez is back in action on September 30 when he defends his four world title belts against the undisputed light middleweight champion Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas.
If Alvarez gets past the American there are a range of opponents he could choose from to face in his next fight, but Sulaiman is looking to call the mandatory for the WBC super middleweight title and has revealed who the challenger will be in a recent interview with Gambling.com.
"David Benavidez. He is the interim champion," Sulaiman said on the subject of who will be the mandatory defence for Alvarez.
"He is mandatory contender for the WBC. Benavidez’s term for the mandatory status is in March, 2024. It will absolutely be a great fight.”
Benavidez has been biding his time while waiting for the chance to become a two-time world champion, but he has remained active with his most recent fight ending in a unanimous decision win over former world champion Caleb Plant in March.