Benavidez vs Cieslak Set for December 5 Three-Belt Cruiserweight Unification

Premier Boxing Champions and DAZN have formally announced that David Benavidez will face Michal Cieslak in a three-belt cruiserweight unification bout on December 5, with the event set for the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, and broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view. The fight was moved up a week from its originally planned date to steer clear of the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua megafight in Cardiff. Benavidez, 32-0 with 26 knockouts, holds the WBA and WBO titles after his sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez in May, and gets a homecoming card in the state where he trains. Cieslak, 28-2 with 22 knockouts, was elevated to WBC champion last month when Noel Mikaelian was stripped for declining to face Benavidez as his mandatory challenger, choosing instead to pursue a deal with Zuffa Boxing. The Pole claimed the interim belt by stopping Jean Pascal two years ago and has won seven straight fights inside the distance since his 2022 defeat to Lawrence Okolie. The supporting card is taking shape through scattered reports: Vergil Ortiz Jr is lined up to meet former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman, Elijah Garcia is expected to face Irish contender Tommy O'Toole, and interim WBC middleweight titlist Jesus Ramos Jr is also slated for the bill. A win for Benavidez would put him on course for an undisputed clash with Jai Opetaia in 2027.