There was a time when David Benavidez was chasing a fight against Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds. However, despite waiting, taunting, and throwing tantrums, ‘The Mexican Monster’ failed to secure the bout. Ultimately, he moved up to the 175-pound division, with the hope that he would get a shot at the undisputed title. Did that happen?
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev fought back in October for the first time, and Beterbiev became the undisputed champion. Meanwhile, Benavidez had to wait on the sidelines, as a rematch was planned and put into motion. The pair fought again earlier this year—this time, Bivol won and became the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
The expectation was, this time, Benavidez would get to fight Bivol for the undisputed title. However, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who was previously interested in making the Bivol-Benavidez bout, changed his mind. A report from The Ring revealed that the Saudi Royal is no longer interested in the fight, instead, he is advocating for a rubber match between Bivol and Beterbiev.
Despite this revelation from the man who has been making the biggest fights possible, the WBC officially ordered Bivol to defend his belts against Benavidez. Soon afterwards, some reports suggested that talks for a fight between Benavidez and Bivol are getting close. However, that was later revealed to be just a rumor. Respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael shared the truth behind the talks.
Boxen: 62nd WBC Annual Convention, , Hamburg, 11.12.2024 Eddie Hearn Matchroom Hamburg Germany *** Boxing 62nd WBC Annual Convention, , Hamburg, 11 12 2024 Eddie Hearn Matchroom Hamburg Germany
“Per Benavidez promoter @SampsonBoxing this is false. Both sides have made offers to the other but not ‘close to being finalized’ at all,” Rafael wrote on X. Eddie Hearn has now hit the final nail in the coffin. While appearing in an interview with Boxing King Media, he said, “We want to keep hold of all the belts,” responding to WBC’s decision to impose Benavidez as mandatory.
“But if we have to lose 1 to follow his excellency [Turki Alalshikh’s] plan for Dmitry Bivol…no problem as well,” he added. So, it looks like Bivol might have to say goodbye to his WBC belt, and the third fight won’t be for undisputed, and Beterbiev would miss out on becoming a two-time undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Regardless, despite Hearn’s confidence in a trilogy, does Benavidez think a fight against Bivol is possible?
David Benavidez reveals the truth about potentially fighting Dmitry Bivol
David Benavidez remains hopeful about facing Dmitry Bivol despite the uncertainty surrounding the fight. Speaking to DAZN’s Patricia Duong at BKFC 70, Benavidez provided an update. “So right now we’re trying to negotiate the fight; it might be in the works for September,” he said. However, he acknowledged the unpredictability of boxing.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 25: David Benavidez (L) fights with Demetrius Andrade in a WBC super middleweight title fight at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez retained his title with a TKO. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
“But we don’t know. You know everything in boxing is not 100%, so we’re just going to keep trying to negotiate the fight, and if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. But that’s the one we’re trying to make happen.” Regardless, if Bivol vacates the belt, as Hearn suggested he might, Benavidez could end up fighting for it or get instantly promoted to full version of the champion because of his ‘Interim’ status.
That said, it appears that even though several attempts have been made to make the Dmitry Bivol vs. David Benavidez fight happen, Artur Beterbiev will end up fighting Bivol. The only silver lining for Benavidez is that after the trilogy, he has the biggest claim at the undisputed shot. What are your thoughts on Hearn’s statement?
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