Promoter Eddie Hearn says his fighter Dmitry Bivol has a contract with Artur Beterbiev for the trilogy, and he couldn’t defend against his WBC-ordered mandatory David Benavidez. He states that he’d also give “his word” that Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) would face Artur next.
(Credit: Mark Robinson)
Hearn isn’t happy that the WBC ordered Bivol to defend against Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) so quickly after he became his mandatory because he felt he should have had a “grace period” to where he could fight whoever. Hearn doesn’t say what that “grace period” should be, but given the kind of dough that Turki is paying Bivol, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were a couple of years.
“We have a contract, and we gave our word that we will fight Beterbiev again,” promoter Eddie Hearn said to Fight Hub TV when asked why he chose to go in the direction of a trilogy match between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev rather than matching Bivol against his WBC-ordered mandatory David Benavidez.
Fairness Debate
Bivol and Beterbiev have already fought twice in a row. They’re looking to fight for the third straight time without letting one of the contenders get a chance at fighting for the belt. When fighters hog the titles like that, it’s bad for the sport.
It’s like having three straight Super Bowls between the same teams and using the argument that the third game was necessary because the first two were split and thrilling to watch. It’s still not fair.
“His Excellency has done a tremendous job with Dmitry Bivol. We’ve had four fights in the Kingdom,” said Hearn. “When we lost a close fight against Artur Beterbiev, His Excellency went out and made the rematch when he didn’t have to. Part of that deal was if we win, there will be a third fight with Artur Beterbiev.
“So, I was very surprised at the speed of the order. Don’t forget that Dmitry Bivol had just won the WBC world title. You always get grace as a champion. It wasn’t like this was ordered way back and Benavidez has been waiting. He only just beat Morrell, and it’s like, Boom, negotiations.’ Boom, ‘Purse bid.’ Telling people the public offer [$8 million to Bivol for Benavidez].”
The WBC might feel that they owe Benavidez something because they didn’t push Canelo Alvarez to defend against him when he was his mandatory for a solid two years at 168. Also, Bivol and Beterbiev have already fought twice. When does it end? Who’s to say that Turki doesn’t want to see a fourth fight between them after their trilogy? In the meantime, Benavidez’s career is stalled out, waiting for those two aging fighters to let someone else get a chance
“Has there ever been a time where someone from the organization [sanctioning body] is publicly telling about the offer that Dmitry Bivol would receive?” said Hearn about the WBC ordering Bivol to defend against Benavidez. “It’s quite bizarre, actually. It’s like trying to create pressure on him to take the fight [with Benavidez]. The money is nowhere near what he’s going to make to fight Beterbiev.
“It doesn’t matter if the offer was $20 million. We have a contract. We also have our word, which is our bond, which we don’t ever go against, and we [Bivol] will be taking the third fight [with Artur Beterbiev]. We will be fighting with His Excellency because he’s given Dmitry his greatest opportunity.”
Would Hearn say the same thing if he promoted Benavidez? He’d be howling angrily, pressing hard for the ‘Mexican Monster’ to get his mandated title shot against Bivol.
“By the way, in my opinion, it’s very difficult for Mauricio [Sulaiman] and the WBC because you’re under a huge amount of pressure from all the parties pushing. It’s very important that the greatest fights [translation: Hearn views Bivol-Beteriev as the greatest fight in the sport] in the sport are allowed and they supercede sometimes a mandatory obligation,” said Hearn.
“For me, Bivol-Beterbiev is the greatest fight in the division. We’ve seen two of the best fights I’ve ever seen. Why wouldn’t you allow a third for undisputed? Everybody has got their rules, we are where we are.”
Last Updated on 04/11/2025
