Dmitry Bivol faces accusations of ducking David Benavidez and Artur Beterbiev by pursuing a mandatory title defense against Callum Smith.
That in a time champions continue to vacate the old belts for big fights, all the time this is happening.
An unsavory move, a truly despicable, repugnant, offensive move from Dmitry Bivol if he opts to fight Callum Smith.
People across Russia and the entire globe shall hammer him for dodging the Beterbiev trilogy, and even a fight against Benavidez.
Some notes on this;
- Boxer Dmitry Bivol has apparently agreed to fight Callum Smith instead of bigger names it looks like
- He turned down a lucrative offer for a Beterbiev trilogy rematch
- Beterbiev has publicly called him out for avoiding the fight
- Smith is seen as a safer, less dangerous opponent
- Bivol is coming off elbow surgery and has fought just once since early 2025
- His promoter defends him, Beterbiev thinks differently of course
- Smith has been inactive for over a year
- Fans and analysts accuse Bivol of prioritizing safety over legacy
- The decision has caused major backlash in the boxing community
Dmitry Bivol had the comeback fight this year in Russia and looked alright but boxed poorly enough in spots.
He apparently had another injury after it, his body is breaking up.
As the sport of boxing gets stronger every day, and more popular, Bivol not the same.
This proves it.
Bad move from him.
He shall pay for this dearly in spectators reaction to this.
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