Dmitry Bivol vs. David Benavidez - Who wins?

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WBC orders undisputed Dmitry Bivol to face interim titlist David Benavidez next

David Benavidez may get his long-awaited shot at a star opponent next.

The WBC has ordered undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to defend his WBC belt against its interim titleholder, Benavidez. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to BS that both sides have until April 8 to negotiate, after which the fight will be sent to a purse bid.

Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), was in attendance on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to watch Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), get his revenge against Artur Beterbiev, in a majority decision win that sent the undisputed championship to Bivol.

The WBC’s plans for a Bivol-Benavidez showdown fly in the face of Riyadh Season’s vision for a third clash between Bivol and Beterbiev. Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh was seen holding up three fingers after the decision was read in Saudi Arabia, likely signaling his plans to organize a trilogy.

In the event that a trilogy fight comes next, the WBC could then strip Bivol and elevate Benavidez to full titlist status – though the biggest possible economic opportunity for the 28-year-old Benavidez would be in fighting the undisputed champion.

Benavidez, who is managed by Sampson Lewkowicz, is a former WBC super middleweight belt holder, but he stepped up in weight last year after his hopes faded of facing Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a big-money fight.

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RUMOR: DMITRY BIVOL, DAVID BENAVIDEZ CLOSE TO FINALIZING DEAL FOR SUMMER FIGHT

Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal that would see the pair square off in a huge light-heavyweight bout this summer.

Both Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) and Benavidez (3-0, 24 KOs) are coming off huge victories, with the Russian beating Artur Beterbiv for the undisputed 175-pound titles last month, and the Mexican-American defeating David Morrell on points a few weeks earlier.

Now they look set to face off, with Bivol's promoters Matchroom and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) close to reaching a deal, according to ESPN Knockout's Julius Julianus.

Earlier this week, the WBC ordered Bivol to face Benavidez next, and the pair were given until April 8 to negotiate terms on what would be one of the mega-fights in the division.

It's unclear if Beterbiev, who was told by HE Turki Alalshikh that if he wanted a rematch against Bivol he'd get it, has exercised his right to a trilogy bout.

There's also the not-so-small matter of the IBF mandatory. Michael Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs) has been waiting for his shot at world honours for over two years.

In fact, Eifert was ordered to face Beterbiev last October after he beat Bivol in their first fight, but an exception was filed and approved for a rematch between the two titans to go ahead.

Bivol may be forced to vacate his IBF belt as a result, leaving IBF's No. 1-ranked Eifert to fight for it against No. 2 contender Conor Wallace, potentially.

Benavidez is the WBC 'interim' champ at 175 pounds, winning that belt against Oleksandr Gvozdyk last summer. Before that, he was a WBC world champion at super-middleweight, but after being knocked back in his attempts to fight then-undisputed champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the Mexican Monster moved up in weight.

Earlier this week, head of Riyadh Season Alalshikh told The Ring he was no longer interested in seeing Bivol-Benavidez.

“I am no longer interested in Bivol-Benavidez and I will not bid on it," he said after news of WBC's order broke.

"I think Bivol knows who has delivered for him and who hasn’t. My advice to Bivol: don’t be late because every day something changes.”

Bivol then tweeted: "Waiting for the next move with my best team @MatchroomBoxing, @Turki_alalshikh, @RiyadhSeason, @VadimKTeam."

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Report: Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez closing in on fight agreement

Undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and WBC interim titleholder David Benavidez may be close to finalizing a deal for a fight later this year.

ESPN Knockout’s Julius Julianus reported that the two camps are close to a deal for the fight, which would be targeted for the summer. Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), is represented by Matchroom Boxing, while Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), is handled by Premier Boxing Champions and Sampson Lewkowicz.

Lewkowicz told BS that the news took him by surprise, saying that he sent a “very large offer” on Thursday night to Bivol’s lawyer but says he hasn’t heard back from Bivol’s team.

“Perhaps someone knows better than me, but I’d be very happy if that is the case,” Lewkowicz told BS on Sunday night.

“Maybe tomorrow I will have a response.”

Lewkowicz said his proposal, which he says was approved by Premier Boxing Champions, proposed for the fight to take place in September, though he says that Bivol’s team was welcome to pick the month that would best suit them, and Benavidez’s team would set the date.

Lewkowicz’s offer came just one day after the World Boxing Council ordered that Bivol make a mandatory defense against Benavidez, who is coming off a dominant victory over David Morrell Jnr last month to solidify his position as interim titleholder and an elite light heavyweight. Bivol is also coming off a significant win last month, defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision to avenge his loss in October last year.

Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh, who has hosted Bivol’s past four fights in Saudi Arabia, told Ring Magazine on Friday that he was “no longer interested in Bivol-Benavidez” and would not place a bid on the fight. Alalshikh added, “I think Bivol knows who has delivered for him and who hasn’t. My advice to Bivol: Don’t be late because every day something changes.”

Alalshikh had indicated after the Bivol-Beterbiev rematch that he was interested in a rubber match between the two.

[Jimmy2025]

This is the old guard (WBC, Hearn, PBC) trying to put it to Turki and vice versa. Boxing politics is going to be savage for a while I think.

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This is the old guard (WBC, Hearn, PBC) trying to put it to Turki and vice versa. Boxing politics is going to be savage for a while I think.

I think if Turki wanted to be involved, they'd let him.

Rather he pays than them, but when WBC ordered the fight, Turki had said he was not interested and I think Beterbiev needs to rest as well, so trilogy wont be next,

[MightyWarrior]

Beterbiev v Benvenidez would have been a Michelin 5 star banquet

Bivol v Benvenidez is more of a 2 for 1 deal at pizza express

[Deserter]

Beterbiev v Benvenidez would have been a Michelin 5 star banquet

Bivol v Benvenidez is more of a 2 for 1 deal at pizza express

[cormack]

This is the old guard (WBC, Hearn, PBC) trying to put it to Turki and vice versa. Boxing politics is going to be savage for a while I think.

well lets see how well this comment ages - in a year or two when things are clear in a factual sense

[cormack]

I really like the Bivol v Benavidez fight which will be a different challenge but can only see one outcome - Bivol will outwork outland and out manouvre benni .

[Jimmy2025]

This is the old guard (WBC, Hearn, PBC) trying to put it to Turki and vice versa. Boxing politics is going to be savage for a while I think.

well lets see how well this comment ages - in a year or two when things are clear in a factual sense

Yes.

My money is on Dana with Big T's money completely changing the landscape. They will put regular shows on around the world and sweep up all the best future talent.

I think Hearn, Warren, PBC, et all will, at best, keep pedalling with the merry-go-round of aging fighters.

I think small hall promoters, certainly in the UK, will improve their fortunes particularly if they get in touch with White's people early and operate as part of the feeder system.

[THEBUTCH]

Beterbiev v Benavidez would be wow factor

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Beterbiev v Benavidez would be wow factor

Better fight Yh

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[Jimmy2025]

Boring. Trilogy not needed. Should have moved on. Benavidez is the best fight for the non-purists.

[margaret thatcher]

too many rematches and triologies these days, gimme bivol-benavidez over bivol-bert 3

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BIVOL TO VACATE WBC TITLE, PLANS TO PROCEED WITH BETERBIEV TRILOGY FIGHT

Dmitry Bivol has informed the WBC he’s vacating his title ahead of tomorrow’s David Benavidez purse bid to proceed with the planned Artur Beterbiev trilogy fight, according to a letter obtained by The Ring.

Bivol won the undisputed light heavyweight championship in a rematch with Beterbiev in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The majority-decision victory evened the score in their series and exacted revenge for Bivol after Beterbiev defeated him via majority decision in October in Riyadh.

The second fight was far more entertaining than the first meeting, and afterward in the ring His Excellency Turki Alalshikh announced his intention to deliver the trilogy bout later this year.

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Dmitry Bivol’s ‘cold and impersonal’ WBC letter leaked

“April 7, 2025, Dear President Sulaiman: As you know, this office represents Dimitrii Bivol. Mr. Bivol has been placed in a position where, unfortunately, he is being forced to relinquish the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title.

“Everyone in boxing knows that there is a commitment for a third bout with Artur Beterbiev, generally considered to be the second-best light heavyweight in boxing. We are working to consummate that bout.

“In addition, we are dismayed at the inability of the ratings organizations to adhere to the rotation system set up many years ago. You are aware that the IBF has claimed to be the lead organization, with justification, for the next Bivol bout.

“We wish to be courteous to those involved in the potential purse bid scheduled for tomorrow. Thus, we will notify you of the relinquishment of the belt before that time so people will not incur needless travel expenses.

“Mr Bivol appreciates such courtesies from the WBC as were accorded him in the past.

“Regards, Patrick C. English.”

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WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman didn’t take the letter’s tone too kindly and expressed his feelings about the matter. In his response, Sulaiman branded the argument that the IBF is next ‘ridiculous’ for ending Bivol vs. Benavidez.

“I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I would rather not discuss informing the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to relinquish his WBC light heavyweight championship.

“We wish Bivol success and hereby confirm David Benavidez as WBC world light heavyweight champion.”

[JamesPhilips]

Dmitry Bivol’s ‘cold and impersonal’ WBC letter leaked

“April 7, 2025, Dear President Sulaiman: As you know, this office represents Dimitrii Bivol. Mr. Bivol has been placed in a position where, unfortunately, he is being forced to relinquish the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title.

“Everyone in boxing knows that there is a commitment for a third bout with Artur Beterbiev, generally considered to be the second-best light heavyweight in boxing. We are working to consummate that bout.

“In addition, we are dismayed at the inability of the ratings organizations to adhere to the rotation system set up many years ago. You are aware that the IBF has claimed to be the lead organization, with justification, for the next Bivol bout.

“We wish to be courteous to those involved in the potential purse bid scheduled for tomorrow. Thus, we will notify you of the relinquishment of the belt before that time so people will not incur needless travel expenses.

“Mr Bivol appreciates such courtesies from the WBC as were accorded him in the past.

“Regards, Patrick C. English.”

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WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman didn’t take the letter’s tone too kindly and expressed his feelings about the matter. In his response, Sulaiman branded the argument that the IBF is next ‘ridiculous’ for ending Bivol vs. Benavidez.

“I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I would rather not discuss informing the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to relinquish his WBC light heavyweight championship.

“We wish Bivol success and hereby confirm David Benavidez as WBC world light heavyweight champion.”

Never a good strategy to p1ss off the world boxing organisations…

[Ruthless-RKO]

Never a good strategy to p1ss off the world boxing organisations…

The WBC never liked him anyway and it was because of them we probably never saw the undisputed fight earlier.

When they banned boxers from Belarus and Russia.

[JamesPhilips]

Never a good strategy to p1ss off the world boxing organisations…

The WBC never liked him anyway and it was because of them we probably never saw the undisputed fight earlier.

When they banned boxers from Belarus and Russia.

Oh yeah - is that still going on? I mean I don’t think it will affect his career too much at this stage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Never a good strategy to p1ss off the world boxing organisations…

The WBC never liked him anyway and it was because of them we probably never saw the undisputed fight earlier.

When they banned boxers from Belarus and Russia.

Oh yeah - is that still going on? I mean I don’t think it will affect his career too much at this stage.

Na, money talks.

As soon as Turki got involved, Moro doesn't care anymore.

Had he not been involved, the two would not have been paid as much, so less sanction fees

[JamesPhilips]

The WBC never liked him anyway and it was because of them we probably never saw the undisputed fight earlier.

When they banned boxers from Belarus and Russia.

Oh yeah - is that still going on? I mean I don’t think it will affect his career too much at this stage.

Na, money talks.

As soon as Turki got involved, Moro doesn't care anymore.

Had he not been involved, the two would not have been paid as much, so less sanction fees

Of course!

[samwbr]

Benavidez v Biv or Artur in December or early next year then.