Dmitry Bivol’s Next Opponent – Here’s What We Know
Dmitry Bivol’s struggles to find an opponent could soon be over.
That is according to Eddie Hearn. The Matchroom Boxing CEO is keen on making Bivol face either Anthony Yarde or Dan Azeez in his next fight, as a rematch with Canelo Alvarez appears unlikely.
Bivol would be making another defense of his WBA light-heavyweight title, as an undisputed bout with Artur Beterbiev is off the books due to the WBC’s prohibition on Russian and Belarusian fighters due to the war in Ukraine.
“Of course it’s not fair. How could [someone] say, ‘I am the champion of the world,’ if somebody from some country couldn’t fight for your belt? But this guy could be better than you.
“It’s not fair. And this guy is just training, spending his time in the gym, and he’s not allowed to fight. He’s the same [as] you, he’s just living in a different apartment in a different place, but he’s working the same [as] you.
“He’s training, he’s fighting, his mentality is similar, but why is he not allowed to fight? It’s not fair,” Bivol said
With that being said, Yarde and Azeez could provide tough tests. The former has twice challenged for a world title, but on each occasion, he fell short.
An 11th-round stoppage defeat against Sergi Kovalev didn’t tell the whole story, as at one point, the Brit was on the verge of stopping the Russian.
Meanwhile, an eight-round TKO defeat to Beterbiev still won Yarde the plaudits.
In contrast, Azeez is undefeated with 19 wins and 13KOs. With that being said, Hearn has whittled down his choices to two British fighters.
“I love Dmitry Bivol against Anthony Yarde. I think that’s a fight we’re going to speak to George Warren about. He’s earned the right for another world title fight after that great performance [against IBF/WBC/WBO 175-lb champion Artur Beterbiev].
“I think Dan Azeez has got himself to #2 [with the World Boxing Association]. He’s got himself British, Commonwealth, and European championships.
“I’d love to give him a shot against Dmitry Bivol. I think it’s a great story. If anyone is going to get a shot, I’d love to give it to a British fighter. We’ll open negotiations with Dan Azeez if he’s a free agent, and maybe that’s a fight we’ll see,” Hearn
If those names don’t materialize, then there is another name that could emerge: David Benavidez. The ‘Mexican Monster’ has rejected reports that he has agreed to fight David Morrell Jr.
Meanwhile, Benavidez’s father (Jose Benavidez Sr) has expressed a desire for his son to bypass Morrell Jr. and take on Jaime Munguia or Bivol instead.
With that being said, this is what Benavidez Sr. had to say: “I would love to fight David Morrell, but David Morrell is not there yet, in my opinion. He needs a little bit more fans. Maybe like about two or three more fights.
“Does that make sense? But in the future, it will be a big fight, too, but we’ll take him right now. But I think Munguia has the people.
“He’ll steal all the fans from Canelo also by facing David Benavidez. Two great Mexicans going at it. We’ll prove who’s the best Mexican at 168.
“If that doesn’t happen, I would love to do the revenge against [Dmitry] Bivol,” Jose Benavidez Sr.
Regardless of who Bivol faces next, a victory will be vital if he is to keep his hopes up of facing Beterbiev for the undisputed light-heavyweight title.
And if he can maintain his momentum, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict potentially eases up, then he will be at the forefront of the division.
And so far, he is living up to the hype. You can stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of boxing by visiting boxingblitz right here.
