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Benavidez eyes unification opportunity as rival elevated to full title
Michal Cieslak has been elevated to the WBC cruiserweight title, teeing up a potential unification bout with David Benavidez.
The Polish star has held the interim belt since a 2025 win over Jean Pascal saw him leap up the sanctioning body's rankings.
Now, he is set to reap the full rewards after ex-champion Noel Mikaelian was stripped upon Saturday's fight with Jai Opetaia.
Cieslak is unlikely to need to wait long for his first defence, with Benavidez since installed swiftly as his mandatory challenger.
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The American is hopeful victory could add a third strap to the WBA and WBO titles he earned against Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez.
That would pave the way for a much-anticipated showdown with Opetaia, after Benavidez agreed to a clash with the Australian.
The pair shared the ring following the former's win over Mikaelian on Saturday night in Las Vegas for a verbal face-off and deal.
Opetaia has long been seen as the division's biggest operator, but Benavidez's pound-for-pound glory has shifted the dial since.
Will Cieslak offer Benavidez banana-skin?
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
At last, Michal Cieslak has his moment in the sun - but matters looks as if they could prove to be deceptively brief for the Pole.
David Benavidez is hunting him down, and with a December date anticipated, there will be no question of ducking for the star.
'The Mexican Monster' will arrive as an overwhelming favourite, an active contender with a blue-chip pedigree at the summit.
By contrast, Cieslak has spent a year out of the ring, biding his time and determined to ensure his place in the queue was kept.
Could he be a banana-skin? It is doubtful, right now. But once in the ring, he will have the opportunity to prove he can be trouble.
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