Dmitry Bivol gets another shot at becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight champion next month when he faces Artur Beterbiev in a rematch. The Russian boxer aims to make a stronger statement this time around.
In their first bout, Bivol became the first fighter to go the distance with Beterbiev, but still came up short on the scorecards. The intense battle showcased both fighters' skills, leaving fans eager for a rematch. Bivol has vowed to be more conclusive in their upcoming fight.
While Bivol prepares for his rematch, another significant bout looms on the horizon. David Benavidez and David Morrell will square off on February 1 for the WBC Interim belt and WBA Regular title. The winner of this clash will earn a shot at the victor of the Bivol-Beterbiev rematch, adding extra weight to both contests.
Benavidez, brimming with confidence, believes he has Bivol's number. In a recent interview with Miami 560 WQAM, he shared his thoughts on a potential matchup:
"I would definitely beat Bivol. I used to spar him back then and we had some amazing sessions but I always got the better of him. The last time I sparred him I was 21, 22-years-old. Now I'm more experienced. I turn 28 tomorrow so I'm coming into my prime. I'm more focused and more hungry a fighter. I know this David Benavidez will walk through Dmitry Bivol."
Benavidez doubled down on his claims during an appearance on Cigar Talk, recounting a specific sparring session:
"I almost dropped him. I'm not lying, I don't have to lie about anything. There was a lot of people that saw the sparring, it was a great sparring session. I sparred him a couple times, but the last time I sparred him I almost dropped him. I had got him into the corner, we were having 4 rounds and this was the last 20 seconds, I lit him up with 15-20 shots. I'm not lying about that at all. After that when the round ended they said they didn't want to spar anymore."
February shapes up as a crucial month for the light-heavyweight division. The Bivol-Beterbiev rematch and the Benavidez-Morrell showdown will set the stage for future matchups and potentially reshape the division's landscape. Boxing fans will keep a close eye on these fights as they unfold.
