A light-heavyweight clash between Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez is one of the most intriguing bouts the sport of boxing can offer.
Russian technician Bivol fell short in his first attempt at becoming undisputed when he was beaten on the cards by countryman Artur Beterbiev, but became the first man to take the ferocious puncher the distance. In the rematch, Bivol did enough to take all four belts. An anticipated trilogy fight is yet to materialise, but remains a possibility.
Meanwhile, Bivol vacated the WBC belt rather than face mandatory challenger Benavidez, who was then upgraded from interim to full champion. The former super-middleweight titlist produced a knockout over Anthony Yarde in his first defence, and now looks to win a belt at cruiserweight when he faces Gilberto Ramirez in May. Despite another jump in division, Benavidez has made it clear that he intends to drop back down to 175lbs thereafter, and is loudly calling for fights against both Bivol and Beterbiev.
Should he manage to land an undisputed clash with Bivol, heavyweight great Lennox Lewis is backing ‘El Monstruo’ to do the business. He told Froch on Fighting as much when praising the 29-year-old as potentially unbeatable.
“Benavidez, that’s my guy right there. He’s a serious contender. The man’s a boogeyman in one sense. Who is out there to give him a good fight? I don’t see anybody out there to give him a good fight. He’s that good.”
“I’m still picking Benavidez [against Bivol].”
Next up, Bivol has been ordered to defend his IBF belt, and thus the WBO and WBA, against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert, who has been waiting years for his shot.