The big fight went down on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bivol won after twelve rounds, taking home the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC belts. The match was a nail-biter, with both fighters giving it their all.
But the story didn't end there. Bivol decided to give up the WBC crown. This move made David Benavidez the new WBC light-heavyweight champ. Benavidez, who's never lost a fight, is now getting ready to defend his title for the first time. He might face off against Callum Smith, a former super-middleweight champion who recently won the WBO 'Interim' title at 175lbs.
As for Bivol, he's not done with Beterbiev yet. They're looking to set up a third fight later this year, with the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles on the line.
Now, here's where things get interesting. Peter Berg, a film director who co-founded the Matchroom Churchill Boxing Gym, stirred up some controversy. On The Joe Rogan Experience, he claimed Bivol dropped Benavidez with a jab during a sparring session. But then he had to take it back.
"I have to retract something that I said because I was wrong. I said Bivol dropped Benavidez at Churchill Boxing Club with a jab, I remembered it wrong, it was Benavidez that dropped Bivol."
Berg went on to explain:
"I don't know why I remembered it wrong but I did, and I suspected actually when I was saying it that I was wrong, but it was Benavidez that dropped Bivol, straight up, with an incredible jab."
This mix-up adds an extra layer of intrigue to the light-heavyweight division. With Bivol at the top, Benavidez holding the WBC belt, and Beterbiev looking for a comeback, boxing fans have got a lot to look forward to in the coming months.