Bivol, in accordance with previous agreements, wants to complete a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs). However, the WBC management insisted on a mandatory defense of his fight against David Benavides (30-0, 24 KOs). In the end, Bivol had to give up the title.
Then the head of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman, said that Bivol should have earned up to $8 million dollars for the fight with Benavides.
"I hear all this outrage from people about Bivol turning down the fight with Benavides for $8 million dollars. So what? With all due respect, he made over 8 million for both his first and second fight with Beterbiev. I don't really understand this pressure from the WBC. From the very beginning we announced the third fight, if the two fights between Bivol and Beterbiev will result in a draw. In my opinion, the third fight should also be a draw for all four championship belts," said Hearn.
