Dmitry Bivol has decided against making a mandatory defense of his WBC light heavyweight championship belt against the designated challenger, David Benavidez. As a result of this decision, Bivol has relinquished the title for this specific version, and David Benavidez has automatically been instated as the new champion.
Confirming the development, Mauricio Suleiman, the WBC president, announced on the social media platform X: “I have just received a cold and impersonal notification from Dmitry Bivol`s lawyer, Patrick English, containing arguments so utterly ridiculous that I prefer not to elaborate on them. The notice informed the WBC that Dmitry Bivol has decided to vacate his WBC world light heavyweight title. We extend our best wishes for Bivol`s future endeavors and herewith confirm David Benavidez as the new WBC world light heavyweight champion.”
It`s noted that Bivol reportedly became the absolute champion in February, having defeated Artur Beterbiev in a rematch.
