Eddie Hearn Discusses Potential Bivol vs. Benavidez Undisputed Light Heavyweight Fight Eddie Hearn, promoter for Matchroom Boxing, confirmed that discussions are ongoing for a potential undisputed light heavyweight championship fight between Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez. The matchup would unify all four major belts in the division if both fighters secure victories in their upcoming bouts. Hearn emphasized that the fight is already being considered with Benavidez’s co-promoter, Luis De Cubas Jr., and noted that Benavidez appears interested in the matchup. Bivol currently holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles at 175 pounds, while Benavidez possesses the WBC belt he won earlier this year. A successful bout between the two would establish a single undisputed champion in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions. However, the timing of the fight hinges on both fighters completing their current obligations. Benavidez is set to face Gilberto Ramirez on May 2 in Las Vegas for cruiserweight titles, while Bivol must defend his titles against Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia. Hearn praised Benavidez’s ambition, highlighting the unbeaten champion’s focus on legacy-defining fights rather than less challenging matchups. “We need guys like that who want to be great, and that’s what we want,” Hearn said during an interview with Fight Hub TV. If both fighters win their respective bouts, the pressure for a Bivol-Benavidez showdown will intensify. The narrative surrounding Bivol has shifted from a dominant technician to a fighter managing physical decline. A back surgery in August 2025 to repair a herniated disc has raised concerns about his long-term readiness. Bivol admitted the issue, which had been a decade-old problem, became untreatable during recent training camps.#wbc #david_benavidez #eddie_hearn #dmitry_bivol #matchroom_boxing
Dmitry Bivol Faces Beterbiev Order, Benavidez Fight Delayed Dmitry Bivol’s potential return to the ring against Artur Beterbiev could disrupt his planned showdown with David Benavidez, creating a significant delay in the light heavyweight division’s title picture. The mandatory trilogy between Bivol and Beterbiev, if enforced, would force Bivol into a third fight with the Russian, pushing back his next major matchup with the undefeated Benavidez. This development has sparked discussions about the future of the division, as both fighters remain central figures in the 175-pound weight class. Benavidez, who is set to move up to cruiserweight this weekend to face Gilberto Ramirez, is expected to return to 175 pounds after the fight to pursue the undisputed title. However, the timing of his return is contingent on the outcome of his upcoming bout, which has been widely anticipated as a potential stepping stone toward a showdown with Bivol. Despite the high demand for a Benavidez-Bivol fight, the outcome of the Beterbiev trilogy could determine whether the matchup ever materializes. Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the Beterbiev III fight. In a statement to Fighthype, Hearn emphasized that while the Benavidez-Bivol matchup is a compelling prospect, the possibility of a third fight with Beterbiev complicates the timeline. “I think that Benavidez-Bivol is a great fight, but we have got this kind of loose obligation with the Beterbiev III fight which, if it is called upon, we have to take it,” Hearn said. He added that if the trilogy does not proceed, the Benavidez fight would be a logical next step. Bivol’s schedule is already packed, with two title defenses against Michael Eifert scheduled for next month.#dmitry_bivol #artur_beterbiev #david_benavidez #gilberto_ramirez #eddie_hearn
