Anthony Dirrell-David Benavidez in the works for September

The long-brewing super middleweight clash between WBC champion Anthony Dirrell and David Benavidez might finally happen later this year, as Mike Coppinger reports that the two “are set to fight in late September in L.A.” According to Coppinger, the bout could take place on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz II undercard.

Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KO) vs. Benavidez (21-0, 18 KO) has thus far been a textbook cursed matchup. The two were first ordered to go at it in 2017 for the title left vacant by Badou Jack’s move to light heavyweight, only for Dirrell to pull out with injury. Benavidez claimed, then defended the belt with a pair of victories over Ronald Gavril, prompting the WBC to try making Benavidez-Dirrell again.

Then Benavidez tested positive for cocaine. While “El Bandera Roja” served his suspension, Dirrell fought Avni Yildrim for the once-again-vacant title, and because this saga is dumb, that fight ended in an anticlimactic technical decision victory for Dirrell following an inadvertent headbutt. Yildrim appealed for an immediate rematch, and though he didn’t get it, he will be the next challenger for whoever wins this fight.

Benavidez, meanwhile, brutalized J’Leon Love last March in his return to the ring.

Looking forward to seeing how it falls apart this time.