Dmitry Bivol, the undisputed light heavyweight champion, faces criticism for seemingly dodging a mandatory fight with David Benavidez. The WBC ordered Bivol to face the "Mexican Monster," but the champ appears to have other plans.
Bivol turned to social media, hinting he's waiting for instructions from his promoter, Turki Alalshikh. This move raised eyebrows in the boxing world, with many accusing the champ of prioritizing money over legacy.
The WBC didn't take kindly to Bivol's apparent reluctance. They set a deadline of April 8 for fight negotiations to begin and sent letters to both camps. If Bivol doesn't comply, he might have to give up his WBC belt.
Fans didn't hold back their disappointment. One wrote:
"Just don't duck Benavidez like Canelo did."
Another fan saw through Bivol's message:
"Translation: I am not fighting David Benavidez"
Some urged Bivol to take control of his career:
"No man, Turki tried to disrespect you. Make moves outside of Riyadh"
"Fight Benavidez in Vegas, don't let Turki blackmail you"
Boxing experts suspect Bivol might opt for a third fight with Artur Beterbiev instead. They see it as an easier choice due to Beterbiev's age and Bivol's familiarity with his style.
Bivol also admitted he'd be open to a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, who he called "the face of boxing." This potential bout adds another layer to the complicated situation.
As the April 8 deadline nears, all eyes are on Bivol. Will he step up to face Benavidez, or will he choose a different path? The boxing world waits with bated breath to see if the undisputed champ will risk his WBC title for a potentially bigger payday.
