Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KO’s) might not be an undisputed champion for much longer as recent news suggests he will forfeit his title in the upcoming weeks.
This possibility was hinted at by David Benavidez’ (30-0, 24 KO’s) manager, Sampson Lewkowicz, who revealed that the WBC’s recent and unofficial mandate for Bivol and Benavidez, the WBC interim champion at light-heavyweight (175 lbs), to face each other.
“If [Dmitry] Bivol doesn’t take fight, I recommended [for Bivol] to give up the [WBC] title before April 8th as a gentleman, and then we’ll see [what happens in] the future,” Lewkowicz told FightHubTV this past weekend.
“I believe that [Benavidez’ opponent] could be [Callum] Smith, but there’s many others. [Benavidez] will fight in September for the full [WBC] title.“
Notably, the mandate failed to be relayed through the WBC’s official channels and was only highlighted during an interview WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman held with The Ring.
Regardless on whether Dmitry Bivol honors the WBC’s mandate and faces Benavidez or chooses to relinquish the belt, David Benavidez is expected to gain the opportunity to become a world champion in September, with Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KO’s) highlighted as a potential opponent if the WBC title would be made vacant. Smith, 34, is coming off a career-defining win over Joshua Buatsi last month that allowed him to become the new WBO interim 175-pound champion.
The potential world title bout set to occur for David Benavidez would break a world title drought of roughly 6 years since he won the WBC super middleweight (168 lbs) for the second time in his career in a 2019 fight against Anthony Dirrell. He would subsequently lose the title before his fight with Colombian contender Roamer Alexis Angulo after weighing in over the 168-pound limit.
Since losing his title in 2020, Benavidez climbed back up the ranks to eventually become a WBC interim champion at super middleweight but failed to secure a fight against then-undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KO’s), leading to a move up to light-heavyweight and Benavidez eventually capturing a WBC interim title in the 175 lbs weight category.
Based on circumstances, an opportunity to fight for a world title would be long overdue for the American fighter.
Whether Dmitry Bivol will be fighting David Benavidez seems to not be up to the fighter himself as it came to light several weeks ago that Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh stated to have no interest in arranging a match between the two fighters.
“I am no longer interested in Bivol-Benavidez and I will not bid on it,” Alalshikh told The Ring.
“I think Bivol knows who has delivered for him and who hasn’t. My advice to Bivol: don’t be late because every day something changes.”
It should be noted that it would fall on a promotion to bid on a fight once purse bid proceedings have begun, Alalshikh has significant influence with Matchroom that could tilt the scales against Benavidez’ promoter TGB Promotions in a potential purse bid.
However, the lack of backing by Alalshikh could result in this purse bid swinging in favor of TGB, who would stage the fight as a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) event.
Alalshikh’s statements to The Ring further affirm he will have a hand to play in Bivol’s ultimate decision to vacate the WBC title or fight Benavidez. Following Bivol’s February 22nd win over Artur Beterbiev to become undisputed at light-heavyweight, a trilogy bout could be in the making for the two fighters as their record against each other still stands at 1-1.
Another possible fight could see Dmitry Bivol face Callum Smith who holds the WBO interim 175-pound title since fighting on the same card as Bivol, thereby culminating in David Benavidez fighting a different opponent for the potential vacant WBC title. However, given the WBC’s recent mandate, the WBO would be required to wait for Bivol to resolve his order by the WBC to order a title bout between Smith and Bivol.
Based on the WBC’s own rankings, in a scenario of the vacant WBC title being up for grabs, Benavidez would likely be matched with Venezuelan contender Albert Ramirez (20-0, 17 KO’s), currently ranked at #3 on the WBC’s rating boards ― below #1-ranked Artur Beterbiev and #2-ranked David Morrell (11-1, 9 KO’s) who Benavidez already faced recently.
