Bivol’s Promoter Wants Canelo Over Benavidez

Dmitry Bivol’s promoter, Frank Smith, wants to make the fight with Canelo Alvarez over David Benavidez.

Bivol became the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion after having defeated Artur Beterbiev via a majority decision in the rematch. It was a perfect response following the first fight, where Beterbiev got the better of the Kazakh. There is likely to be a trilogy next, given both fighters have expressed their desire to make it happen.

Benavidez is waiting in the wings. He is the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion. He solidified his position after defeating David Morrell Jr. in his last fight. Benavidez is now mandatory for the winner. But Smith prefers a Bivol rematch with Canelo. Bivol defeated Canelo in their 2022 clash via unanimous decision. 

Alvarez moved up from 168 pounds to try and pick up Bivol’s WBA belt. But he was comprehensively outboxed as Bivol’s win boosted his credentials. There were negotiations over a rematch, but talks broke down after there were differences over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back at 175 pounds, while Bivol won the rematch 168 pounds.

Bivol’s Promoter

That was because Bivol was targeting winning Canelo’s undisputed title at 168. Canelo will now face William Scull in February, knowing a win makes him undisputed at 168 again. He is then expected to fight Terrence Crawford in the summer. If Canelo and Bivol continue winning their fights, there is a narrative in place to either run things back at 168 or 175 for undisputed. Smith’s focus was on trying to make that fight.

“The other fight out there is Canelo Alvarez. I’m not saying that’s the next fight. He’s got his own plans, but what a fight that is. Dmitry Bivol is a special fighter. I don’t personally think that’s the fight, but who knows. He’ll fight anyone. There are British fights as well for Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde. There’s lots of fights to be made. He’s worked for this moment for so long, and he was so close to it in October. He should have gotten it in October. He had to wait four months longer, but it was worth it,” Smith said 

Bivol Vs. Benavidez

Nevertheless, Benavidez will be eyeing a fight with Bivol. He previously missed out on getting a shot at undisputed against Canelo at 168 pounds. Benavidez was the WBC Interim Champion for over two years. But the WBC did not call the mandatory, nor did they strip Canelo. The Mexican Monster will unlikely miss out on getting a title shot once again since that was why he moved up to 175 pounds. He previously recalled sparring with Bivol, saying he knows his game well. There were even suggestions that Benavidez may have stopped Bivol in sparring. That fight was his primary focus moving forward.

“I know Bivol really well. I’ve sparred him a lot. I have a lot of respect for him. Just because I’ve sparred him, [I’m] not saying he’s an easy fighter or none of that. I know what I can do with him. I want to fight the best. I’ve had a lot of experience, so now, it’s just time to really push myself and go for greatness so that’s exactly what I’m doing,” Benavidez said 

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.