Dmitry Bivol will move forward with a trilogy clash with Artur Beterbiev in lieu of a first fight with David Benavidez.

The lineal and still-unified light heavyweight champion informed the WBC that he will vacate its title, according to a letter obtained by BoxingScene. In the formal notification, Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), and his team informed the sanctioning body that they will proceed with previously discussed plans to once again face Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs); each owns a win over the other. 

"Mr. Bivol has been placed in a position where, unfortunately, he is being forced to relinquish the World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Title," Patrick English, counsel for Bivol, stated to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. "Everyone in boxing knows that there is a commitment for a third bout with Artur Beterbiev, generally considered to be the second best Light Heavyweight in boxing. We are working to consumate [sic] that bout.

"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 iBF [sic] has claimed to be the lead organization, with justification, for the next Bivol bout."

The development occurred just hours after WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced to the world that the Bivol-Benavidez purse bid hearing remained on, as scheduled, for Tuesday, April 8 in Mexico City. That session is obviously canceled as a result.

"We wish to be courteous to those involved in the potential purse bid scheduled for tomorrow," noted English. "Thus we notify you of the relinquishment of the belt before that time so people will not incur needless travel expenses.

"Mr Bivol appreciates such courtesies from the WBC as were accorded him in the past."

Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), currently holds the interim version of the WBC light heavyweight title. He will receive an upgrade to full titlist by default. BoxingScene has since learned that Benavidez will make his first defense sometime in August or September. 

An exact timeline was not yet made available for Bivol-Beterbiev III. Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael, who was the first to report the news of Bivol vacating the title, suggested that the rubber match will take place in October, likely at the start of the Riyadh Season festival.

Each of the previous two light heavyweight championship affairs took place in Riyadh. Beterbiev won their first meeting via majority decision to fully unify the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Bivol was the sport’s second-longest reigning titleholder at the time behind then-WBA strawweight titlist Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong. His WBA light heavyweight title reign extended back to 2017. 

Revenge was achieved by Bivol in their thrilling rematch this past February 22. Bivol also won via majority decision to deal the first defeat to Beterbiev, who was the sport’s longest-reigning active titlist after both Niyomtrong and Bivol lost in 2024. 

Beterbiev-Bivol II was permitted to move forward by the WBC on the condition that the winner would next face Benavidez, who defeated former lineal champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June 15 to win the interim belt. 

Benavidez since turned away then-unbeaten David Morrell via unanimous decision on February 1 to also become the WBA’s secondary “regular” titlist – and a double mandatory challenger as a result. Benavidez, also a former two-time WBC super middleweight titlist, was invited to attend Beterbiev-Bivol II at the request of Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and the driving force behind Riyadh Season.

However, BoxingScene learned that talks not only failed to advance very far but were open-ended and unproductive.

The fate of Bivol-Benavidez was ultimately decided when Alalshikh publicly exclaimed his lack of interest in participating in the WBC purse bid for the fight. 

Still, Benavidez and his team not only stood its ground but doubled down on the demand to challenge for the title next. An appeal was filed to modify the purse bid terms to a percentage split of 55-45, rather than the traditional 75-25 split in favor of the primary titleholder. The WBC’s Board of Governors did not honor the request in written form but agreed to adjust to a 60-40 split in favor of Bivol.

It proved to be moot, as it was clear that Bivol and his team didn’t plan to move forward. Monday’s development was merely a formality in that regard. 

Still looming ahead for Bivol is an overdue IBF mandatory title defense. Germany’s Michael Eifert has been the IBF’s top contender since his March 2023 win over former lineal/WBC champion Jean Pascal. 

Beterbiev was previously ordered to enter talks with Eifert mere days after his win over Bivol. The sanctioning body subsequently agreed to permit Beterbiev’s special permit to instead face Bivol in a rematch, with the written ruling that Eifert would be entitled to face the winner.

However, the WBC jumped the line shortly after the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch in immediately ordering the bout with Benavidez. 

It is not immediately known as this goes to publication whether the IBF will proceed with its original plans. If so, Bivol will be two belts lighter heading into his third fight with Beterbiev than when he left the ring in February.

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.