A major hurdle has been revealed that could scupper plans for a potential bout between David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol.
Having already ruled at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, reigning WBC 175lb world champion Benavidez sets about his toughest test to date when he makes the monumental 25lb leap up to cruiserweight for a showdown with unified champion Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday night.
However, even if successful against Ramirez, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has promised that he will be returning back to light-heavyweight, in pursuit of a shot at the undisputed crown against WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder Bivol.
Although, whilst that fight is in hot demand, Eddie Hearn told FightHype that Bivol has a ‘loose obligation’ to partake in a trilogy clash with Artur Beterbiev.
“I think that Benavidez-Bivol is a great fight, but we have got this kind of loose obligation with the Beterbiev III fight which, if it is called upon, we have to take it.
“But, if it is not, Benavidez is absolutely the fight. I think that’s a brilliant fight, it’s two pound-for-pound guys.
“I do think that Benavidez will beat Ramirez and if that is the case, should Dmitry come through on May 30, which we expect him to do, why not make the Benavidez fight?”
Bivol defends two of his three titles against Germany’s Michael Eifert next month, whilst Beterbiev is considering a ‘tune-up’ of his own in preparation for a third meeting with his rival.
