Eddie Hearn: Bivol will return in a mandatory fight, not against Beterbiev
Eddie Hearn explained that Bivol will first fulfill his obligations as champion and then could fight David Benavidez or Beterbiev
Eddie Hearn, promoter of Matchroom Boxing, confirmed that Dmitry Bivol will return to action in a mandatory fight to defend his light heavyweight titles and not in the trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev.
In an interview with FightHub TV, Hearn explained that Bivol will first fulfill his obligations as champion and then could fight David Benavidez or Beterbiev.
“We didn’t believe that offer was real at all, and obviously, we also have a contract with Riyadh Season. Right now, we have mandatory fights, and Bivol has been out of the ring for a year. So it’s very likely that he’ll come back and fight one of his mandatory fights before fighting Benavidez or, most likely, a third fight with Beterbiev,” he said.
“I expect to see Bivol back in the spring. I think he’ll come back, after a year off, and fight one of his mandatory fights. Then, a few months later, he’ll fight Beterbiev or Benavidez,” he added.
Recall that after winning the rematch against Artur Beterbiev and becoming the undisputed champion, Dmitry Bivol relinquished his World Boxing Council (WBC) title to avoid the mandatory fight against David Benavidez and thus fulfill the trilogy already agreed upon with his compatriot. Shortly after, it was learned that Bivol abandoned negotiations with his compatriot to treat his back injury. After returning to training, the Russian still has Beterbiev in mind, but Benavidez is also in his plans. In fact, the World Boxing Association (WBA) could order a mandatory fight between the Mexican Monster and Bivol after the Mexican-American headlines the super fight with Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez on the Cinco de Mayo weekend. Dmitry Bivol, 34, took revenge and snatched the undisputed 175-pound title from Beterbiev. The Russian has a record of 24 wins, 12 of them by knockout, and one loss. Meanwhile, Artur Beterbiev, 40, lost his undisputed light heavyweight championship and his undefeated record in the sport. The Russian now has a record of 21 wins.20 of them by knockout, and one loss as a professional.

