A trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev may not be next for Dmitry Bivol after all. Julius Julianis of ESPN Knockout reported that Bivol is close to finalizing a deal to fight WBC and WBA secondary titlist David Benavidez this summer.

The WBC has come out and said that Dmitry Bivol must face David Benavidez in his next fight. Benavidez became the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion after defeating Artur Beterbiev in their rematch via a majority decision.

The Ring reported that WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has ordered undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to face David Benavidez in his next fight. Benavidez is the interim WBC light heavyweight champion and regular WBA light heavyweight champion,

Dmitry Bivol vs David Benavidez has been rumoured, with reports suggesting a fight is close to being finalized. However, Dan Rafael of Fight Freaks Unite has clarified the negotiation status via his X account.

Canelo knows both Bivol and Benavidez well for different reasons, having stepped up to 175lbs to take on Bivol for his WBA light heavyweight title back in May 2022. It was the Russian who claimed the victory, defeating Alvarez by unanimous decision to become just the second man after Floyd Mayweather to beat the Mexican superstar.

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