Bivol Releases WBC Title To Pursue Trilogy With Beterbiev

JAKARTA Dmitry Bivol released his WBC light heavyweight world title after only six weeks as the undisputed champion to pursue the third fight against Artur Beterbiev.

The Russian boxer previously defeated Beterbiev on February 22, 2025 to win the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF world titles. It was a revenge victory after the first clashes in October 2024, Bivol lost.

The two initial fights between Bivol and Beterbiev were for the undisputed title. However, the decision to vacate the WBC belt made Bivol lose the status of world champion undisputed.

After the victory over Beterbiev, the WBC immediately issued an order to order Bivol to undergo a mandatory match for the WBC world title against its main competitor, David Benavidez.

However, Benavidez, who is unbeaten in 30 fights, has upgraded his status to world champions after Bivol made sure he preferred to a trilogy duel with Beterbiev.

Benavidez, who had long awaited a chance to show off in the light heavyweight class, was a little disappointed to cancel fighting Bivol. However, he remains optimistic looking forward to the future.

"This is not the ideal way to become a world champion, but now I am officially the WBC light heavyweight world champion. I am determined to give my best fight forward," Benavidez wrote on his personal Instagram account.

Liverpool's Callum Smith will be one of the competing boxers against Benavidez after he defeated major competitor Joshua Created in February 2025.