Current WBC super middleweight "Champion in Recess" David Benavidez won't be returning to action for the next few months.
Benavidez, who failed a drug test earlier this year, was revealed to have been suspended by the WBC until February 27, 2019, according to a report by ESPN. Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told ESPN that the current plan is to have Benavidez fight sometime in mid-March, likely a 10-round bout.
It was announced in mid-September that Benavidez tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the central compound found in cocaine, and not a performance-enhancing drug in a drug test administered by VADA. As a result of the positive test, the WBC moved Benavidez to "Champion in Recess" and ordered Avni Yildirim and Anthony Dirrell to fight for the vacant title. That fight has yet to be officially announced and no date for the title fight has been set.
When Benavidez tested positive for the banned substance and subsequently suspended by the WBC, the young boxer was also ordered to undergo serious rehab support, including psychological, medical as well as a testing protocol of anti-doping.
Benavidez won the world title back in 2017 after Badou Jack vacated the belt earlier in the year. Benavidez defeated Ronald Gavril by split decision to claim the title, but then the two had a rematch in February 2018. In the rematch, Benavidez dominated Gavril, winning a wide unanimous decision. The 21-year-old Benavidez currently is undefeated, winning all 20 of his pro fights with 17 of those wins happening inside the distance.
