Shakur Stevenson recently shared his thoughts on a highly anticipated boxing matchup, highlighting just how significant a fight between the unbeaten light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and the WBA mandatory challenger David Benavidez could be. Stevenson described this potential bout as one of the most important in the boxing world today.
Bivol (24 wins, 1 loss, 12 KOs) managed to outscore Artur Beterbiev last Saturday night in a closely contested 12-round majority decision held in Riyadh. With this victory, Bivol now has to consider fighting his WBC mandatory challenger, Benavidez (30 wins, 0 losses, 24 KOs), known for his relentless punching, formidable power, resilience, youth, and fearless approach in the ring.
“Benavidez vs. Bivol is among the top-tier fights that can be organized in boxing today,” Shakur Stevenson told Ring Magazine, expressing his enthusiasm for what he considers a marquee matchup.
### Bivol’s Path Ahead
Given the dynamics of boxing promotions, it’s not shocking that those managing Bivol at Matchroom are exploring his options. Should the World Boxing Council push for a mandatory defense, there’s a chance they might set the WBC belt aside to focus on other lucrative opportunities for Bivol.
Promoter Eddie Hearn plays a pivotal role here and has considerable sway in deciding Bivol’s next opponent, partly due to his ties with Turki Alalshikh. If Hearn opts to sideline Benavidez indefinitely, it might mean relinquishing the WBC title or simply bypassing him.
Historically, the WBC has been lenient with popular fighters, allowing them to retain their titles without enforcing mandatory defenses. Bivol, being well-regarded, has the leverage to choose his next fights, whether that includes Beterbiev, Canelo Alvarez, or Callum Smith—three names Hearn mentioned recently as desirable opponents for Bivol.
Adding another layer of complexity, Benavidez has previously held his own in sparring sessions against Bivol. In one particular session, Benavidez reportedly unleashed a barrage of 20 punches, nearly flooring Bivol. Consequently, Benavidez says he was told he wouldn’t spar with Bivol anymore after that round.
The question remains: Will we see Bivol take on Benavidez? While Stevenson sees it as a monumental event, the decision ultimately rests with the promoters, who might steer clear of the matchup for now.
