Dmitry Bivol Vacates WBC Title, David Benavidez Promoted as Champion

Brentwood, CA – Dmitry Bivol is no longer the WBC light heavyweight champion after he chose to vacate his title on Monday, just a day before a mandated purse bid for a matchup against David Benavidez. Bivol’s decision comes amid discussions of a highly anticipated trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) confirmed the news and announced that Benavidez has been promoted to full champion. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman expressed his disappointment over Bivol’s decision, saying he received a notification from Bivol’s lawyer Patrick English that included arguments he found unreasonable. “We wish Bivol success and hereby confirm David Benavidez as WBC world light heavyweight champion,” Sulaiman stated.

Bivol’s choice to vacate the title stems from his commitment to a third fight with Beterbiev, whom he faced in October 2023 for a chance to unify the four major world championship titles in the 175-pound division. Beterbiev narrowly won that match by a majority decision. They faced each other again in February 2024, where Bivol emerged victorious by majority decision, tying the rivalry at one win apiece.

As a mandatory title defense was ordered against Benavidez before the trilogy match, Bivol decided to relinquish the title instead of facing Benavidez. English commented, “Everyone in boxing knows that there is a commitment for a third bout with Artur Beterbiev … we are working to consummate that bout.”

Benavidez had long pursued a title shot against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez before moving to light heavyweight, creating excitement among fans when the WBC announced the fight against Bivol. Despite the tension and promise of this new opportunity, Benavidez’s path to the championship turned abruptly when Bivol vacated the title.

In response to the situation, Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, expressed his readiness to negotiate, stating, “We will give the winner the opportunity to get the WBC title back at any time. We are one phone call away to make this fight happen.”

As the boxing community reacts to this sudden change, the focus now turns to Bivol and Beterbiev, who will look to finalize arrangements for their decisive third fight.