Bivol Pursuit Hits A Wall As Benavidez Camp Shifts Focus

David Benavidez's road back to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light-heavyweight is hitting a dead end — and his father says a cruiserweight unification fight may be where things go next.

Benavidez last fought on May 2, stopping Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round to become a three-division world champion, adding the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles to the WBC light-heavyweight belt he already held. The plan coming out of that victory was always to return to 175 pounds and pursue the fight that has eluded him for years — a showdown with unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

Bivol appears to be prioritising a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev, and he also carries a mandatory obligation with Callum Smith that complicates his availability further. With the Bivol door effectively closed for now, Jose Benavidez Sr. says their focus is elsewhere.

"I'm trying to make these fights. I even told David, 'These guys are not responding. Let's fight Mikaelian.' That's not a fight that really interests me. I'm just trying to make these fights with whoever is available," Jose Sr. said.

A cruiserweight unification makes sense on paper if the right opponent is available. Benavidez looked dominant at 200 pounds against Ramirez, and there are belts and credible names in that division worth pursuing.

Opetaia would have been a meaningful fight. The Australian held the IBF belt and carried credibility earned through difficult nights at the highest level. His team going silent is another door that appears to be closing before negotiations even began.

The Bivol fight may still happen eventually. But for now, the three-division champion is left waiting for someone willing to share the ring with him.