VADIM Kornilov admits his fighter, Dmitry Bivol, has plenty of options on the table but believes a third clash with Artur Beterbiev is the ideal fight to be made. While Beterbiev seems the logical next step, the WBC threw a potential spanner in the works by ordering Bivol to defend his title against WBC Interim champion David Benavidez. Kornilov only sees one outcome.
“Not to give myself or any of us too much credit, but we’re always about integrity. So to us, it’s kind of unquestionable,” said Kornilov.
“And I think to many fans and to people involved that no matter what the decisions were, no matter what the judges saw, the Beterbiev side got the decision they got in the first fight. The second fight they agreed to do. They didn’t have to do it. So from all, you know, ethical, moral standpoint, the third fight has to happen. And it seems like that’s what everybody’s talking about.”
Pointing to Saudi and Turki Alalshikh’s desire for the trilogy next, Kornilov drew comparisons with the Canelo vs. Golovkin situation and how running it back quickly is an important step for sporting integrity.
“In my opinion, I think this trilogy has to figure out who the winner is, within three fights being one after another,” added Kornilov, who views a Benavidez fight as a secondary option.
“It seems like that’s an obligation. It seems from what I read, even from the Benavidez side, before the fight happened, I read, if I’m not mistaken, that Benavidez was okay with waiting. He kind of understood that if Bivol was gonna win, then most likely there has to be a third fight and it’s just something that everybody respects, you know?
“And now we’re getting a lot of commotion with like – let’s make this Benavidez fight now. To be honest with you, Bivol’s not even fighting now. It’s not even about Beterbiev-Bivol. Bivol’s not gonna fight within 90 days either way because he just had four fights in a row within a 13-month period.”
Kornilov has called for timelines to be adhered to as Bivol engages in a rest period and considers his options. Those options could even include a move up to cruiserweight, which Bivol himself has mentioned. Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (whom Bivol has already beaten) or Badou Jack have been namedropped as future foes.
“Dmitry does need some rest and needs some recovery. And if it’s Beterbiev, I’m sure he does as well. He just had two fights in a row as well.”
