DAVID Benavidez is now a two-division world champion after Dmitry Bivol relinquished his WBC strap to chase a trilogy showdown with Artur Beterbiev.
The sanctioning body’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman, confirmed via social media yesterday that Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), has been elevated from interim to full WBC light-heavyweight titlist.
This announcement came after Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), withdrew from his purse bid with Benavidez, which was scheduled to take place today, and, in turn, forfeited his status as the reigning undisputed king.
But of course, the 34-year-old is, regardless of a green and gold trinket, still widely regarded as the top dog at 175lbs.
His masterful performance against Beterbiev arrived last February when, by the exact same margin as their first encounter, Bivol exacted his revenge with a majority decision victory.
And now, it seems, the pair are gearing up for a third encounter in October, leaving Benavidez without a clear dance partner to select from the WBC rankings.
Sulaiman, meanwhile, clearly remains irritated by the situation after announcing his new champion while, at the same time, directing a quick jibe at Bivol’s attorney.
On X, he wrote: “I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I 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.”
Boxing journalist Dan Rafael, who was first to break the story, has since revealed the letter that was sent by Bivol’s attorney to Sulaiman.
In that letter, English wrote that team Bivol is “dismayed at the inability of the ratings organisations [WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA] to adhere to the rotation system.”
The attorney went on to highlight that, according to the rotation system, the IBF is next in line to enforce its mandatory challenger, Michael Eifert, with regards to Bivol’s next bout.
But, as always, it would appear that the sanctioning bodies are more than happy to bend the rules as they go along, with Benavidez earning his title under less than ideal circumstances.
On Instagram, the 28-year-old wrote: “Just got the news that Bivol decided to vacate his title, instead of fighting me. Now that makes me the WBC world champion at light heavyweight.
“This is not the ideal way for me to become world champion but nevertheless I am now the WBC light heavyweight champion of the world, and I intend on putting [on] the best fights.”
