Dmitry Bivol has lost his undisputed light heavyweight status.
Bivol became undisputed light heavyweight champion in February after a majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev, gaining revenge from their first meeting in October where Beterbiev won by the same outcome to first claim all four 175lb world titles.
Attention then turned to what the next move would be for Bivol, with a trilogy bout with Beterbiev one scenario that most fans believed would be next.
Another option came to light though, after David Benavidez became the mandatory challenger to the WBC belt following victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell over the past 12 months.
Benavidez made it clear that he would not be stepping aside, and purse bids between with Bivol were set to take place on Tuesday, but it has now been announced that the Russian has vacated his WBC belt, most likely paving the way for the trilogy with Beterbiev.
Though he has decided to refuse the mandatory challenge, he was once considering it. At the post-fight press conference after the Beterbiev rematch he laid out his options.
“I think December it will be amazing, maybe earlier. I don’t have any preference now to be honest. What people want to see I’m going to take. Maybe we could talk about cruiserweight. I will think about it also, why not.
“I have belts here [at light heavyweight]. I need to check cruiserweight. Why not? I’m open for any fight, but today I want to enjoy that I’m undisputed champion.
“I want to take care of my health because I have some issues. I want to heal myself and then move forward again. Trilogy, Benavidez, Canelo … As always, I just wait for offer then I say yes.”
Benavidez could now be elevated to full WBC champion, having already claimed the WBC interim belt at 175lbs.
