Undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol made a clear signal today on X that he intends to fight a trilogy match with Artur Beterbiev next rather than face his WBC mandatory David Benavidez in a clash that the world wants to see.
Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) told his followers on X that he’s “Waiting for the next move with my best team. ” He added Turki Alalshikh’s name along with Matchroom Boxing and his manager, Vadim Kornilov. This can only mean one thing: Bivol wants the big-money trilogy match against Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) next.
Skipping Benavidez
It makes sense for David Benavidez to be X’d out of the equation for a fight against Bivol because he’d likely beat him, which would ruin everything. It’s more critical that Bivol hold onto his titles because he’s more beneficial for a fight with the golden goose, Canelo Alvarez, than David Benavidez.
Canelo’s Bait
This business move ensures Bivol has a better chance of holding onto the gold fish bait to lure Canelo into the fight. We already know he won’t fight Benavidez because he’s too dangerous.
Waiting for the next move with my best team @MatchroomBoxing @Turki_alalshikh @RiyadhSeason @VadimKTeam pic.twitter.com/0XsZmDIEq2
— Dmitry Bivol (@bivol_d) March 8, 2025
Turki said this week that he’s no longer interested in a fight between WBC mandatory David Benavidez despite the fight being ordered by the World Boxing Council. He sees the big picture. Above all, Bivol must hold onto those titles to entice Canelo, who will only fight him. He wants nothing to do with Benavidez or Artur Beterbiev.
Trilogy First
It’s still not certain that Bivol will win the trilogy match with former undisputed champion Beterbiev later this year. However, Dmitry has a much better chance of defeating him by using movement than he would against the ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez.
In the Beterbiev-Bivol 2 rematch last month on February 22nd, Bivol pulled it out in the second half when Beterbiev stopped punching and was just following him around the ring. It was still very close with Bivol winning by a 12 round majority decision.
If you count the rounds that Beterbiev appeared to win [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12], it should have been scored as a draw. That would have ruined the chances of a trilogy, so it’s not a surprise that Bivol was given the victory. I scored it as a draw.
Given the big money on the line for a Canelo vs. Bivol fight, I don’t like Artur Beterbiev’s chances in the trilogy unless he knocks Dmitry into the next galaxy.
Last Updated on 03/08/2025
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