Benavidez, who holds the WBC super middleweight belt, came up positive for cocaine in connection to a random drug test administered by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association] on August 27th.
The random test was given to Benavidez as part of his enrollment in the World Boxing Council's Clean Boxing Program.
The WBC has decided to make Benavidez the "champion in recess" and vacated the normal belt.
Anthony Dirrell took the first position in WBC rankings and Turkish Avni Yildirim became the second ranked boxer in the list.
Yildirim’s promoter Ahmet Oner gave a convincing speech about his fighter’s activity and his position in WBC.
“After this situation on what happened to Benavidez, Anthony Dirrell and Avni Yildirim can fight each other for the vacant title and then winner can fight also whoever WBC orders,” said Oner.
The WBC President stated that “the championship is in recess, Dirrell and second place holder Avni Yildirim can fight and we will see Benavidez’s situation later and also we have a Diamond champion Callum Smith. I'd like to say Dirrell and Yildirim can fight for WBC championship which is recess, Benavidez will have rights too.”
If Yildirim will fight with Dirrell for the WBC belt, Yildirim will be the first Turkish fighter who will fight for the world championship in history.
Dirrell is the former WBC super middleweight title holder, and he he lost his belt in a close decision to Badou Jack.
