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Bivol To Vacate WBC Title, Plans To Proceed With Beterbiev Trilogy Fight
BREAKING NEWS
Mike Coppinger
Mike Coppinger
RingMagazine.com
Bivol To Vacate WBC Title, Plans To Proceed With Beterbiev Trilogy Fight
Dmitry Bivol has informed the WBC he’s vacating his title ahead of tomorrow’s David Benavidez purse bid to proceed with the planned Artur Beterbiev trilogy fight, according to a letter obtained by The Ring.

Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) won the undisputed and Ring Magazine light heavyweight championship in a rematch with Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The majority-decision victory evened the score in their series and exacted revenge for Bivol after Beterbiev defeated him via majority decision in October in Riyadh. Bivol, 34, is The Ring’s No. 4 pound-for-pound boxer; Beterbiev, 40, is No. 5.

The second fight was far more entertaining than the first meeting, and afterward in the ring His Excellency Turki Alalshikh announced his intention to deliver the trilogy bout later this year.

“Everyone in boxing knows that there is a commitment for a third bout with Artur Beterbiev … we are working to consummate that bout,” Bivol’s attorney, Pat English, wrote to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

“In addition, we are dismayed at the inability of the ratings organizations to adhere to the rotation system set up many years ago. You are aware that the [I]BF has claimed to be the lead organization, with justification, for the next Bivol bout.”

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced on social media that Benavidez, who previously captured the interim-title, was being elevated to the status of full champion.

"I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I rather not discuss informing the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to relinquish his WBC light heavyweight championship. We wish Bivol success and hereby confirm David Benavidez as WBC world light heavyweight champion," Sulaiman stated on social media.

Now, Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) could be lined up for a mandatory defense against former super middleweight champion Callum Smith. Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) is the next ranked contender in the rankings. He’s coming off a thrilling decision victory over Joshua Buatsi on the Bivol-Beterbiev undercard in February.

Benavidez is The Ring’s No. 2 light heavyweight behind top contender Beterbiev while Smith is No. 3.

Benavidez is coming off a career-best victory, a decision win over David Morrell in February. “The Mexican Monster” still seeks a career-defining fight but for now, he’ll have to wait.

Mike Coppinger is The Ring’s senior insider. He was formerly ESPN’s boxing insider. Following him on X/Instagram: @MikeCoppinger

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