The confrontation between the American and the Venezuelan was also supposed to be the final WBC super middleweight elimination bout. The fight was originally scheduled for August 28, but Benavides turned in a positive result for Covid-19.
The American's team began the search for a new opponent, but it is not yet known if the fight will now retain its status as a qualifier for the championship belt. The current holder of the 168-pound World Boxing Council championship belt is Saul Alvarez, who faces Caleb Plant on November 6 for a unification fight for four titles.