The trilogy against Artur Beterbiev has priority: Dmitry Bivol has relinquished the WBC title – David Benavidez is the new world champion!
Dmitry Bivol was only the undisputed light heavyweight world champion for a short time – after just six weeks, the Russian is resigning his WBC belt. The reason: the planned trilogy against Artur Beterbiev, which is regarded as the sporting conclusion to what is probably the most exciting rivalry in the light heavyweight division in recent years.
According to an official letter, Bivol’s lawyer Pat English informed the WBC of his client’s withdrawal on Monday. This clears the way for David Benavidez to go from interim to full WBC light heavyweight champion.
Bivol is forced
“Mr. Bivol has been put in a position where he is unfortunately forced to relinquish the World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Title,” reads the letter to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman. English also criticized the actions of the world federations: “We are dismayed by the inability of the rating organizations to adhere to the rotation system.”
According to the IBF, it would actually have been Michael Eifert’s turn from Germany. The SES boxer has been waiting for his world championship opportunity for two years. And had only agreed to the trilogy fight between Bivol and Beterbiev on the condition that he would then fight the winner.
Benavidez open for Undisputed showdown
Nevertheless, the federation reacted promptly and officially named David Benavidez (30-0, 24 knockouts) as the new world champion. Benavidez had defeated Cuban David Morrell in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in February to win the interim and regular WBA titles. His promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has already declared that his protégé is basically ready for an undisputed showdown. “We will give the winner of the trilogy the opportunity to reclaim the WBC title at any time. We’re just a phone call away.”
Text by Robin Josten