Benavidez Eyes Bivol's Titles After WBC Win
The Benavidez-Bivol saga has sparked a heated debate in the boxing world, with many speculating about the motivations behind Bivol's decision to vacate the WBC title. As the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain - the light heavyweight division will be filled with exciting matchups, and Benavidez will be a key player in the months to come.
David Benavidez has become the new WBC light heavyweight champion after Dmitry Bivol vacated the title to pursue a fight against Artur Beterbiev, and his team is now exploring options for his next fight, with a potential showdown against Callum Smith on the horizon.
Bivol's decision to vacate the title came after the WBC ordered him to face Benavidez, who is now unbeaten in 30 bouts and will be upgraded to world champion status. The WBC has scheduled a purse bid for Tuesday, and other fighters, including Callum Smith, will be vying for a shot at Benavidez. Smith, a former super middleweight contender, has been on a resurgence after a lopsided loss to Beterbiev and currently holds an interim WBO title.
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes that Smith could be a good opponent for Benavidez, citing the lack of top names in the light heavyweight division. Hearn stated that "no firm offers have been made" but that he thinks the fight would be "a helluva fight". Meanwhile, Jose Benavidez Sr. believes that his son will relentlessly pursue Bivol's remaining titles, claiming that Bivol chose to avoid his son and is holding onto his titles for marketability.
Bivol is set to fight Artur Beterbiev next, but if he loses, the responsibility of fighting Benavidez will fall on Beterbiev's shoulders. Benavidez Sr. believes that Bivol is motivated by money and is trying to hold onto his titles for financial gain. The situation has set up an intriguing scenario in the light heavyweight division, with Benavidez at the forefront and a potential fight against Smith or Bivol on the horizon.
As the light heavyweight division continues to unfold, fans can expect a series of exciting matchups, with Benavidez and Bivol at the center of attention. With the WBC title now in Benavidez's possession, the question remains whether he will face Smith or Bivol next, and how the division will shape up in the coming months.