WBC Orders Bivol vs Benavidez Will He Fight or Vacate the Title

Introduction

Big news in boxing! The WBC has ordered light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to defend his title against David Benavidez. But there’s a catch—Bivol was supposed to complete a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. Now, he has to decide:

Fight Benavidez and defend his title.
Pay Benavidez to step aside so he can fight Beterbiev.
Give up his WBC title and move on.

This decision isn’t easy, and it has boxing fans divided. Should Bivol fight a fresh, hungry challenger like Benavidez? Or should he finish what he started with Beterbiev? Let’s break it all down.

Why the WBC Ordered Bivol vs. Benavidez

The WBC has rules. If you hold a title, you have to defend it against top challengers. Benavidez earned his shot by beating tough rivals, including David Morrell and Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Now, he wants his chance at the belt.

Bivol, on the other hand, was expecting to fight Beterbiev again. He has already beaten him twice and wanted to settle their rivalry for good. But now, with the WBC ordering him to fight Benavidez first, things just got complicated.

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Bivol’s Three Choices

Bivol has to make a prompt decision. The WBC gave him until April 8 to figure things out. Here’s what he can do:

1. Fight Benavidez

This would be the fair thing to do. Benavidez has waited for his chance, and fans would love to see a fresh matchup. But Benavidez is a dangerous opponent—he’s young, aggressive, and powerful. Bivol’s careful boxing style might not work as well against him as it did against Beterbiev.

2. Pay Benavidez to Step Aside

If Bivol still wants to fight Beterbiev first, he can try to pay Benavidez to wait. This is common in boxing, but it depends on how much money Benavidez wants. If he refuses, Bivol might have no choice but to fight him.

3. Give Up the WBC Title

If Benavidez won’t take a deal, Bivol might give up the WBC belt and focus on Beterbiev. This way, he won’t lose his chance at the trilogy fight, but he’ll no longer be the WBC champion.

Should the Bivol vs. Beterbiev Trilogy Happen?

Bivol and Beterbiev have already fought twice. Some fans are excited for a third fight, but other fans feel like they have seen enough. Their styles can make fights less exciting. Bivol moves a lot, while Beterbiev is strong but slow.

ESPN Boxing recently shared that Turki Alalshikh, a major boxing promoter, wants the trilogy to take place. If he pushes for it, Bivol might get his wish. But is it fair to Benavidez? That’s the big question.

Why Benavidez Deserves a Shot

Benavidez has worked hard to get to this point. He’s undefeated, powerful, and aggressive. He doesn’t wait around in the ring—he pressures his opponents and forces them to fight.

This could be a real problem for Bivol. Against Beterbiev, Bivol was able to move and outbox him. But Benavidez is younger and faster. He might not let Bivol control the fight without difficulty.

If this fight happens, it will be a true test for Bivol.

What Happens Next?

The deadline is April 8. By then, Bivol has to make a decision. Here’s what could happen:

If he fights Benavidez, we get a new, exciting matchup.
If he reaches a deal with Benavidez, the trilogy with Beterbiev will happen.
If he gives up the WBC title, Benavidez will fight someone else for it.

No matter what, big changes are coming to the light heavyweight division.

FAQs

1. Why does the WBC want Bivol to fight Benavidez?

Because Benavidez earned his chance by winning big fights. The WBC wants champions to defend their titles in a just manner.

2. What happens if Bivol gives up his WBC title?

The WBC will pick two top fighters (likely including Benavidez) to fight for the vacant belt.

3. Can Benavidez beat Bivol?

It’s possible! Benavidez has the pressure and power to make Bivol uncomfortable. It all depends on whether Bivol can stay in control.

4. Will the Bivol vs. Beterbiev trilogy still happen?

If Bivol can make a deal with Benavidez, yes. Otherwise, he’ll have to fight Benavidez first or give up his belt.

5. When will we know what Bivol decides?

The deadline is April 8, so we should have an answer soon.

Conclusion

Bivol is in a tough spot. He can defend his title against Benavidez, try to pay him to wait, or give up the belt to fight Beterbiev.

Whatever he decides, the light heavyweight division is about to get very interesting. Boxing fans are in for some great fights—no matter what happens next.

What do you think Bivol should do? Let’s hear your thoughts!