LAS VEGAS, July 30 -- The boxing world spent the better part of three years debating whether Saul Alvarez would ever agree to fight David Benavidez. It had the wrong question. The right one, it turned out, was what Benavidez would accomplish while everyone was still asking.

On Wednesday, both questions got answers on the same afternoon. Benavidez and his team are finalizing a November 21 WBC cruiserweight title showdown against Armenian champion Noel Mikaelian, a fight that would make the 29-year-old Phoenix native boxing's unified champion at 200 pounds and complete a three-division title collection spanning super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. Boxing trade media reported the deal is expected to be formalized before...