BoxRec

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.

I think Bivol wins this confidently. Benavidez vs Beterbiev would be much more entertaining while it lasts.

I am confused. Is Turki talking about the recent WBC order for Bivol-Benevidez next, or does he mean forever?

igor king wrote: ↑07 Mar 2025, 10:42 I think Bivol wins this confidently. Benavidez vs Beterbiev would be much more entertaining while it lasts.

Beterbiev is also heavily favoured. I guess, the 3rd Bivol-Beter bout is more preferrable.

I thought they were doing Beterbiev v Bivol 3

Evander wrote: ↑08 Mar 2025, 23:31 I thought they were doing Beterbiev v Bivol 3

Might still do. But it doesn’t have to be next.

WBC have ordered this regardless.. so let’s see

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Mar 2025, 00:59

Evander wrote: ↑08 Mar 2025, 23:31 I thought they were doing Beterbiev v Bivol 3

Might still do. But it doesn’t have to be next.

WBC have ordered this regardless.. so let’s see

What are you hinting at R ?

Bivol would follow the money, not orders. No reason to refuse Turki's generous offer.

igor king wrote: ↑07 Mar 2025, 10:42 I think Bivol wins this confidently. Benavidez vs Beterbiev would be much more entertaining while it lasts.

I get you're point. Beterbiev would definitely be constantly going for the Ko, right from the get-go vs Benevidez.
Thus making it extremely entertaining by default. As in, How would it Not be extremely entertaining, even if only for a round or two..?!

All in All though, Bivol-Benevidez is Still a Very Good bout. And interesting enough to both Draw in fans, at least the Real fans of the Sport of Boxing, and also Should make for an intriguing bout. It's quite winnable for either boxer, if luck is on one of them more than the other. I see it likely going the distance, which does appeal Alot More to the Purist type Boxing fans.
The fans more towards the Casual level would obviously be Alot more into the type of bout that has both or one of the Boxers trying hard to knock the other out. I see Benevidez gladly acclimating to a slugging it out approach with Beterbiev, if they fought.

With Bivol-Benevidez we'll still have a very good all around type of bout.
Bivol will be very methodical and Benevidez will Not be punching himself out, going for the knockout against the Mostly Pure Boxer style that Bivol incorporates. He Will be trying to get in some body shots, especially if he can somehow get Bivol leaning on the ropes.

marvelous marv wrote: ↑07 Mar 2025, 20:09 I am confused. Is Turki talking about the recent WBC order for Bivol-Benevidez next, or does he mean forever?

It seems Turki is starting a war against all the sanctioning bodies and the big promotors.
Fase one of his grand scheme is accomplished, now he's heading in a new direction with Dana White to form their own league with their own belt.
Already in the fightweek of beterbiev-bivol II, no belts were displayed at the press conferences, only the Undisputed belt. Same with the build up now of Canelo vs Scull. Thats a big sign.
He doesn't want to deal with WBC/WBO/IBF/WBA anymore.
Now he will try to seduce the big names to exclusively fight under his own promotional company TKO/The ring.

Eddy, Frank, Bob etc. are in for some big trouble, but they don't want to openly acknowledge that.

Turki said he will ‘fix’ boxing until 2030

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."

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.

Sampson Lewkowicz has come out and said it’s all fake news.

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

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.

Benazidez is now full wbc champion.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑07 Apr 2025, 17:13 too many rematches and triologies these days, gimme bivol-benavidez over bivol-bert 3

Agree

Oh no. Those two really put on two great fights, but I need see some fresh matchups.

It still pisses me off that there are boxers like Canelo and Fury who go years without defending against mandatories and it's fine—but when it comes to guys like Bivol and Usyk, it suddenly becomes a problem and they have to defend immediately after becoming undisputed.

What a joke.

Dmitry Bivol vacates WBC belt, David Benavidez to become full titleholder

Dmitry Bivol will move forward with a trilogy clash with Artur Beterbiev in lieu of a first fight with David Benavidez.

The lineal and still-unified light heavyweight champion informed the WBC that he will vacate its title, according to a letter obtained by Boxing Scene. In the formal notification, Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), and his team informed the sanctioning body that they will proceed with previously discussed plans to once again face Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs); each owns a win over the other.

"Mr. Bivol has been placed in a position where, unfortunately, he is being forced to relinquish the World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Title," Patrick English, counsel for Bivol, stated to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. "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 consumate [sic] 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 [sic] has claimed to be the lead organization, with justification, for the next Bivol bout."

The development occurred just hours after WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced to the world that the Bivol-Benavidez purse bid hearing remained on, as scheduled, for Tuesday, April 8 in Mexico City. That session is obviously canceled as a result.

"We wish to be courteous to those involved in the potential purse bid scheduled for tomorrow," noted English. "Thus we 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."

Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), currently holds the interim version of the WBC light heavyweight title. He will receive an upgrade to full titlist by default. BS has since learned that Benavidez will make his first defense sometime in August or September.

An exact timeline was not yet made available for Bivol-Beterbiev III. Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael, who was the first to report the news of Bivol vacating the title, suggested that the rubber match will take place in October, likely at the start of the Riyadh Season festival.

Each of the previous two light heavyweight championship affairs took place in Riyadh. Beterbiev won their first meeting via majority decision to fully unify the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Bivol was the sport’s second-longest reigning titleholder at the time behind then-WBA strawweight titlist Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong. His WBA light heavyweight title reign extended back to 2017.

Revenge was achieved by Bivol in their thrilling rematch this past February 22. Bivol also won via majority decision to deal the first defeat to Beterbiev, who was the sport’s longest-reigning active titlist after both Niyomtrong and Bivol lost in 2024.

Beterbiev-Bivol II was permitted to move forward by the WBC on the condition that the winner would next face Benavidez, who defeated former lineal champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June 15 to win the interim belt.

Benavidez since turned away then-unbeaten David Morrell via unanimous decision on February 1 to also become the WBA’s secondary “regular” titlist – and a double mandatory challenger as a result. Benavidez, also a former two-time WBC super middleweight titlist, was invited to attend Beterbiev-Bivol II at the request of Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and the driving force behind Riyadh Season.

However, Boxing Scene learned that talks not only failed to advance very far but were open-ended and unproductive.

The fate of Bivol-Benavidez was ultimately decided when Alalshikh publicly exclaimed his lack of interest in participating in the WBC purse bid for the fight.

Still, Benavidez and his team not only stood its ground but doubled down on the demand to challenge for the title next. An appeal was filed to modify the purse bid terms to a percentage split of 55-45, rather than the traditional 75-25 split in favor of the primary titleholder. The WBC’s Board of Governors did not honor the request in written form but agreed to adjust to a 60-40 split in favor of Bivol.

It proved to be moot, as it was clear that Bivol and his team didn’t plan to move forward. Monday’s development was merely a formality in that regard.

Still looming ahead for Bivol is an overdue IBF mandatory title defense. Germany’s Michael Eifert has been the IBF’s top contender since his March 2023 win over former lineal/WBC champion Jean Pascal.

Beterbiev was previously ordered to enter talks with Eifert mere days after his win over Bivol. The sanctioning body subsequently agreed to permit Beterbiev’s special permit to instead face Bivol in a rematch, with the written ruling that Eifert would be entitled to face the winner.

However, the WBC jumped the line shortly after the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch in immediately ordering the bout with Benavidez.

It is not immediately known as this goes to publication whether the IBF will proceed with its original plans. If so, Bivol will be two belts lighter heading into his third fight with Beterbiev than when he left the ring in February.

Patrick English, counsel for Bivol, stated to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. "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 consumate [sic] that bout.

burn

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.”

----------

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.”