Dmitry Bivol's decision to give up his WBC light heavyweight title has shaken up the boxing world. This move has opened the door for a possible fight between David Benavidez and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, a match-up fans have wanted for years.
Benavidez, known as the "Mexican Monster," didn't win the title in the ring. He got it when Bivol decided not to fight him and gave up the belt instead. Benavidez said:
"I just got the news that Bivol decided to vacate his title instead of fighting me. That makes me the WBC light heavyweight world champion. It's not the ideal way to become a world champion, but I'm still the WBC light heavyweight world champion and I intend to give the best fights."
Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez, the current super middleweight champion, has a busy schedule ahead. He'll fight William Scull on May 3 for the IBF title, aiming to become the undisputed champion again. After that, he's expected to face Terence Crawford in September.
Canelo has avoided fighting Benavidez for a long time. But now that Benavidez holds a world title, it might be harder for Canelo to keep dodging him. Canelo recently posted a training video on Instagram with the message "Rain, snow or shine, we don't stop," which could be his way of responding to the new challenge.
Canelo has signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season that runs until 2026. This deal might include a rematch with Bivol down the line. Canelo might also think about moving up in weight class.
While all this is happening, there's talk about a possible trilogy between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez will need to decide who he'll face first as the new champion.
The next few months in boxing will be very interesting. Fans will be watching closely to see how these potential fights play out and what moves the champions make next.
