DESPITE having two fights against each other in the bank, the quest to determine the standout light-heavyweight of this generation is ongoing. Both Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev boast a majority decision win in their ongoing 175-pound rivalry.
Now, following whispers that Bivol would instead face WBC mandatory challenger David Benavidez, a rubber match has been strongly indicated by news of Bivol vacating his WBC world title. Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, has explained why the now WBA, IBF and WBO champion has opted to drop the belt.
Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs), and Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), went toe-to-toe back in October, where Beterbiev walked away as the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr. in 2002, claiming a razor-thin and much-disputed majority decision victory to hand Bivol his first career defeat
However, Bivol was able to level the scores in their rematch in February with a legendary performance. Boxing brilliantly during the second half of the contest to shift momentum, Bivol secured a majority decision win of his own to blemish Beterbiev’s record and take the undisputed crown.
After two thrilling contests, it appeared as though Bivol could move on from the Canadian-Russian and fight WBC interim champion Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), with the WBC ordering the fight and scheduling purse bids for Tuesday, April 8.
Yet rather than an advancement in negotiations, Tuesday instead saw the announcement that Bivol has decided to relinquish his undisputed status and vacate the WBC world title, presumably pursuing a trilogy clash with Beterbiev.
Speaking exclusively with Boxing News, Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, explained that Bivol was contractually obliged to face Beterbiev for a third time.
“Dmitry has just become undisputed six weeks ago after having four fights against top opposition within a 13-month period. We were not prepared to be put into a position which disregards this and our rematch obligations.
“And the fact that there was another mandatory ordered by the IBF before the rematch now seemed to not matter anymore. We had an initial agreement, and we keep our obligations.”
Kornilov added that Bivol would be willing to fight Benavidez down the line but would not be rushed into another difficult fight within a short time frame.
He reiterated that his fighter needs a break from the sport after an arduous spell, detailing that Bivol’s third meeting with Beterbiev will take place “no earlier than October”.
“We are open to any fight, of course we would fight Benavidez but in reasonable time. Usually, fights like this have to be negotiated and planned for. Benavidez is already an interim world champion, that means he is one of the top contenders in the division.
“We were not going to let somebody put us into that position. Dmitry has done a lot in his career to be respected, we were not going to be put into that position. He has just had four fights in a row in 13 months and then we have to fight Benavidez.
“He [Benavidez] is a tough fight, and it is a real fight. We have to fight that fight within 90 days of the other four-fight [spell] – that is crazy.
“We were public at the post-fight press conference about Dmitry needing time off and that he was going to be off for at least a couple of months to four months before he even starts training.
“The next fight will definitely be no earlier than October.”
The extended break could lead to fewer world titles being at stake when Bivol and Beterbiev collide for a third time, with the IBF persistently demanding that their mandatory challenger, Michael Eifert, 13-1 (5 KOs), gets his shot at the title and threatening to strip the titleholder if he does not.
As for Benavidez, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has now been elevated to full WBC light-heavyweight world champion, and yesterday, Callum Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn told BN that talks are underway for Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), to face Benavidez.
