Dmitry Bivol vs David Benavidez has the makings of a very entertaining fight in boxing for a host of reasons.
First off it would define who actually is the best light-heavyweight boxer in the world.
Put an end to that debate. But Benavidez just won a title up at cruiserweight so who knows where he fights next.
Some points to note on this:
- Tim Bradley from the US (former world welterweight champion) said Bivol has the perfect style to beat Benavidez and is a recipe for disaster for him
- Bradley said Benavidez has high boxing IQ but is stubborn while Bivol is not and will do the opposite of what you expect
- Bradley said Bivol has plan A and plan B and stepped to Ramirez when everyone expected him to box
- Benavidez proposed a 190lbs catchweight so he could defend his WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles
- Benavidez stopped Gilberto Ramirez in six rounds in May 2026 to win WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts
- Bivol beat Ramirez by unanimous decision in 2022 and beat Canelo Alvarez the same year
- Bivol became undisputed at 175 in February 2025 then vacated the WBC title; Benavidez was elevated to full champion
- Bivol defends vs Michael Eifert on May 30, 2025
- CompuBox-style plus-minus has Bivol +16.7 and Benavidez +16
- Some have said Benavidez has the chin to walk through Bivol’s offense and his footwork and combinations create suffocating pressure
The two have sparred a lot before as well — but sparring is sparring.
Benavidez has said he wants the fight with Bivol and it would be for us a case of Bivol’s boxing ability and skill versus the sheer force and power and relentlessness of David Benavidez.
We don’t think Benavidez would have boxed someone yet though with that kind of ability and if Bivol was 100 per cent healthy and motivated, tough fight for him.
Who knows what fights either will be in next in 2026 but Bivol first fights Eifert next up this month.
