David Benavidez says he “definitely” beat the winner of the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev trilogy match. Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is the mandatory WBC for the belt undisputed light heavyweight champion Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) holds.
Smith Offer Rejected
Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, says an offer was made for Benavidez to defend his WBC interim light heavyweight title next against Callum Smith. Lewkowicz says he’s NOT interested in that fight and only wants Benavidez to fight for the WBC belt against Bivol next. The WBC has ordered the fight with a deadline of April 8th.
Lewkowicz and Benavidez will not take an interim fight to allow Bivol to artificially hold onto his WBC so that he can go into his trilogy match against Artur Beterbiev as the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Bivol must either fight Benavidez or relinquish his WBC belt.
“At this moment, the only thing he’s [Benavidez] is thinking is the WBC to be the formal regular champion,” said Lewkowicz to Sean Zittel about ‘The Mexican Monster’ wanting only to challenge for the WBC belt next.
“So, we’ll not take that particular fight [Callum Smith] for the interim, and we expect on April 8th to make a decision if he [Dmitry Bivol] wants to lose the title or he gets stripped. That’s what Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the WBC. There’s no more Canelo to wait two years as the interim to have a shot, and then you don’t get a shot,” said Sampson about what Benavidez went through in the past as the WBC interim at 168 and NEVER got the chance to challenge Canelo. He was ignored.
The Bivol-Benavidez fight has already been ordered by the World Boxing Council. Bivol may need to vacate his belt if he’s going to go through with his plans to face Artur (21-1, 20 KOs) next in a trilogy.
Benavidez’s Vision
“That’s the plan. We’re already in the #1 spot to fight the winner. So, we’re going over there. We might get that fight in September,” said David Benavidez to BS W/ Jake Paul about him fighting the winner of the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev trilogy match.
“That s*** would be dope,” said Benavidez about how exciting a fight would be between him and Beterbiev. “It’s most likely going to happen [fighting the Bivol-Beterbiev 3 winner], and I’m already getting myself mentally to try and get ready for that fight.
“We’re going to have to go through hell to come out the other side. They’re both the top echelon [at light heavyweight]. They’re both Russians. I can definitely take those guys. I beat them.”
Last Updated on 03/21/2025
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