WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman claims that Dmitry Bivol rejected an $8M provide to defend in opposition to his necessary David Benavidez. As a substitute, Bivol jettisoned his WBC title as a substitute of going through Benavidez to pursue a trilogy match with Artur Beterbiev.
$8M Rejection
Sulaiman has since upgraded Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) to the brand new WBC 175-lb champion. He introduced that transfer on social media. Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) has taken loads of criticism from followers, lots of whom really feel that he ducked a tough combat in opposition to Benavidez in favor of a extra profitable payday in opposition to former undisputed champion Beterbiev.
Potential Causes for Bivol Rejecting $8M Provide
– Concern– Promised Beterbiev trilogy– More cash– Turki
That’s a combat that the Saudis need, despite the fact that the Bivol-Beterbiev rematch on February twenty second failed to herald huge PPV numbers. It reportedly did 55,000 buys within the U.S and 340,000 worldwide.
Benavidez Risk
Turning down $8 million for a combat in opposition to Benavidez makes Bivol seem like a craven coward. Many followers will imagine the worst as a result of Bivol struggles in opposition to stress fighters, and Benavidez is without doubt one of the finest. Dmitry is already wealthy from his first two fights with Beterbiev.
So, even when he selected to combat Benavidez subsequent, he’d nonetheless have a checking account full of dough and he wouldn’t be unhealthy off if Turki selected to not make the trilogy combat with Beterbiev later.
Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) gave Bivol hell with the stress he placed on him of their two fights. The rationale he misplaced the rematch final February is that he stopped throwing punches from rounds 7 via 11. He lit Bivol up in rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12. Bivol didn’t actually win, however the judges gave him a win. So, it really works out financially for him and Beterbiev.
Benavidez, 28, is unhealthy for Bivol and Beterbiev as a result of he’s lots youthful and combating at a better stage than both of them. Artur would have a greater probability of beating Benavidez, however he possible wouldn’t resulting from his superior age and his low work fee. He thinks an excessive amount of earlier than throwing pictures now and is gun-shy. Beterbiev didn’t was once like that, however age is kicking in.
Bivol rejected an 8 million {dollars} provide from Benavidez: WBC https://t.co/96cAJoc81i
— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) April 8, 2025
