Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez are getting closer to a showdown. The WBC has set a purse bid for Tuesday at noon ET, moving the potential fight between the two champions from fantasy to reality.
Fans have wanted this matchup for months. Bivol holds the WBC light heavyweight title, while Benavidez has the interim belt. Dan Rafael reports the purse split will be 60-40 in Bivol's favor.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the purse bid. But there's a twist. Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh isn't interested in the fight.
"I will not bid on it. My advice to Bivol: don't be late because every day something changes."
Without Saudi money, the fight could move to the U.S. or fall apart. But Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez's promoter, is ready to make it happen.
"I have no problem working with them. But I will not kiss his ring."
Lewkowicz plans to team up with PBC and bring the fight to Las Vegas if he wins the bid.
If talks break down after the bid, the WBC might strip Bivol of his title. Benavidez could then face another contender for the vacant belt. There's also a chance Bivol goes for a trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev instead. Their current score stands at 1-1.
Bivol brings a 24-1 record with 12 KOs to the table. Benavidez is undefeated at 30-0 with 24 KOs.
The purse bid marks progress, but it's unclear if this is a turning point or just another hurdle in boxing's complex world of negotiations and politics.
