David Benavidez returns!

David Benavidez, the undefeated WBC interim light-heavyweight champion, is scheduled to be back to the ring on December 14. This bout is designed to keep Benavidez sharp as he eyes a major 2025 showdown against the winner of the upcoming undisputed light-heavyweight championship.

While the exact venue for Benavidez’s return is yet to be finalized, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles has been reserved for that date, although a location in Las Vegas is also under consideration. This decision will depend on the final arrangements connected to the fight card.

Benavidez last fought on June 15, securing a unanimous decision victory over former light-heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. The 27-year-old Phoenix native was less than satisfied with his performance, citing injuries to his left hand, right-arm ligament, and a cut over his eye that he sustained before and during the bout. The time off has allowed Benavidez to fully heal, and his team is currently negotiating with an opponent who will provide a quality challenge.

Watch Benavidez vs. Plant highlights: Watch

After a long and frustrating wait as the WBC’s top-ranked and mandatory challenger at super-middleweight, where he was repeatedly overlooked by unified champion Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez decided to move up to the light-heavyweight division in late July. This move places him in a prime position to challenge the winner of the October 12 undisputed light-heavyweight championship fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between unbeaten Russian champions Artur Beterbiev (WBC, IBF, WBO) and Dmitrii Bivol (WBA).

"We will fight either guy," Lewkowicz said, expressing confidence in Benavidez’s readiness to take on either Beterbiev or Bivol in what would be a highly anticipated matchup.

The December 14 card is expected to be an Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view event, potentially featuring another high-profile Premier Boxing Champions bout. PBC is also working on securing fights for unbeaten lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis, who may return in November, and newly unified junior-middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora. Fundora has shown interest in a year-end bout against WBO mandatory challenger Terence Crawford, although Crawford has reportedly expressed a desire to face Alvarez, leaving Fundora’s plans uncertain.