News broke last night that Dmitry Bivol has made the decision to vacate his WBC light heavyweight world title.
Bivol, who still holds the other three belts at 175lbs, had been ordered to face interim champion David Benavidez and purse bids were due to take place earlier today.
However, the 34-year-old made the decision to withdraw from proceedings and drop his belt, and will be pursuing a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev instead.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has given his thoughts on the situation – and he doesn’t seem best pleased.
In a post made on his official X account, Sulemain described the reasons given by Bivol’s team for vacating the title as “ridiculous.”
Bivol dropped the WBC title last night (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)
“I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I rather not discuss informing the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to relinquish his WBC light heavyweight championship.
“We wish Bivol success and hereby confirm David Benavidez as WBC world light heavyweight champion.”
I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol lawyer, Patrick English, with arguments that are so ridiculous that I rather not discuss informing the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to relinquish his WBC light heavyweight championship. We wish Bivol…
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) April 7, 2025
The move comes as no surprise, after the pound-for-pound star’s promoter Eddie Hearn hinted last month that a third fight with Beterbiev would likely be next for his charge.
Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans that Turki Alalshikh was keen on a rubber match between the pair and that Bivol feels a sense of loyalty to the Saudi boxing chief.
“The reality is this: Turki Alalshikh has given Dmitry Bivol four fights.
“Most importantly, he gave him the fight with Artur Beterbiev for undisputed, and then gave him the rematch four months later.
“We are doing whatever His Excellency wants – and I would expect that to be the trilogy.
Dmitry Bivol gained revenge over Artur Beterbiev to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion in Riyadh Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
“We want to keep all the belts. But if we have to lose one to follow His Excellency’s plan for Dmitry Bivol, then that’s no problem.”
Bivol and Beterbiev have already given fans two fight of the year contenders, so there will be few with any complaints about seeing the pair settle the score.
As for Benavidez, the WBC confirmed he has been elevated from interim status to full world champion.
The post WBC President fumes as Dmitry Bivol vacates world title appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
