That will be the two Davids’ battle on May 21 when Benavidez and Lemieux go head-to-head at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Invincible Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) will have a home-field advantage over the Canadian for the now-vacant WBC Interim super-middleweight belt.
The fight will represent a 2022 debut for both men who had three fights between them last year. Benavidez v Lemieux will arrive two weeks after undisputed 168 lbs ruler Canelo Alvarez moves up to light-heavyweight to take on Dmitry Bivol for the WBA title. Whoever comes out on top in Arizona will be well positioned for a shot against Mexico in 2023.
Benavídez said: “I am very excited to be fighting for another belt and I am training extremely hard because it is another big opportunity for my career and my future. “David Lemieux still has a lot of power, so I have to make sure I sharpen my skills 100%. I’m confident I can stop Lemieux and I’m planning to give fans another great battle on May 21.”
Lemieux is 33 years old (43-4, 36 KOs) almost 50 games in a career that began in April 2007.
The former IBF middleweight champion has only lost once since May 2016 and is hoping to claim the gold and green.
Lemieux said: “Ever since turning pro, I have had my eye on the WBC belt. “This is my chance to seize it. This is a very important fight for me and I plan to make a strong statement on May 21. I am about to win. ”
The co-main event took place in the superweight division when undefeated Yoelvis Gómez male Yoelvis Gómez (5-0.5 KOs) took on Jorge Cota (30-5, 27 KOs).
