Benavidez slated for December 12 bout, likely faces interim champion Cieslak

According to Mike Coppinger, David Benavidez is set to make his comeback on December 12, with the interim WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak identified as his most probable adversary. The bout is anticipated to occur in the vicinity of Phoenix, Arizona, Benavidez's birthplace. Cieslak, who boasts a 28-2 record and 22 KOs, earned his latest win by stopping former champion Jean Pascal two Junes ago, marking his seventh straight victory since a loss to Lawrence Okolie in 2022.

While not a marquee name, Cieslak has proven a reliable opponent, having never gone the distance since 2018. Benavidez, unbeaten at 32-0 with 26 knockouts, previously captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles by defeating "Zurdo" Ramirez and has sought a unification bout with Noel Mikaian that has not materialized. Negotiations involving Sampson Lewkowicz and Don King fell through after Mikaian pursued a deal with Zuffa, leaving Benavidez with a modest title defense option.