The light heavyweight division of Boxing has always produced some of boxing’s most thrilling moments. From Bob Foster’s reign of terror to Roy Jones Jr.’s dazzling dominance, 175 pounds has a special place in boxing history. Fans have witnessed legendary battles that still get talked about decades later.

The division recently experienced a golden era with talents like Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev, and Jean Pascal trading leather. Now, a new generation of light heavyweight stars continues this proud tradition.

Boxing’s current light heavyweight landscape features some of the most skilled fighters in the sport. Dmitry Bivol stands at the top after his majority decision win over Artur Beterbiev in their February rematch. The victory made Bivol the undisputed champion, holding all four major belts after Beterbiev had won their first encounter. Their contrasting styles, Bivol’s technical brilliance against Beterbiev’s raw power created an instant classic that had fans immediately calling for a rubber match to settle the score once and for all.

Benavidez vs. Bivol: The WBC’s Order

The boxing world received a major surprise when WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman officially ordered Bivol to face David Benavidez in his next bout. Benavidez, known as ‘El Monstruo’ for his destructive fighting style, brings an unblemished 30-0 record with 24 knockouts to the table. He currently holds both the interim WBC and regular WBA light heavyweight titles, making him a logical challenger on paper.

The potential Bivol-Benavidez showdown has actually been simmering beneath the surface for years. Their history adds another layer of intrigue to this possible matchup. Bivol’s technical mastery against Benavidez’s relentless pressure would create a fascinating style clash.

Keys to Victory: Dmitry Bivol

Bivol’s success against David Benavidez would hinge primarily on his masterful footwork and distance control. The undisputed champion excels at maintaining the perfect range where he can land his crisp jab and straight right while staying just beyond his opponent’s power. Against Benavidez’s aggressive pressure style, Dmitry Bivol must keep the fight in the center of the ring and avoid the ropes at all costs.

Timing will be crucial for Bivol. He needs to counter Benavidez’s forward movement with well-timed straight punches and make him pay for every entry attempt. His ability to pivot and create angles after combinations could frustrate Benavidez and prevent him from setting his feet to throw power shots.

Bivol’s cardio and pacing have always been strengths. He will need to maintain his disciplined approach across all 12 rounds without getting drawn into trading power shots with the naturally bigger Benavidez.

Shop Here: Club Edition Kickboxing Strike Kick Pads

David Benavidez’s Path to Victory

For Benavidez, cutting off the ring effectively will be paramount. He can’t allow Dmitry Bivol to dictate the distance and must force engagements on his terms. His significant size advantage and relentless pressure have broken down technically skilled boxers before.

Body work should be a major focus for “El Monstruo.” Targeting Bivol’s midsection early would slow the champion’s movement in later rounds and potentially set up his devastating uppercuts and hooks upstairs. Benavidez’s combination punching and ability to throw with both hands from multiple angles could overwhelm Bivol if he can trap him against the ropes.

Mental fortitude will be tested as Benavidez may need to absorb Bivol’s counters to implement his game plan. His proven chin and willingness to walk through fire to land his own shots could make the difference in a closely contested fight.

The clash of styles makes this potential matchup so intriguing – Bivol’s technical brilliance against Benavidez’s relentless offensive arsenal would provide a true test of whether precision can overcome power.

What About The Trilogy With Artur Beterbiev?

Despite the WBC’s directive, a trilogy bout with Beterbiev remains very much in play. Boxing politics and fighter preferences often trump sanctioning body orders. Let’s face it. Boxing organizations issue mandatories left and right.

The split decision in their previous encounters practically begs for a definitive third fight. Their contrasting approaches. Dmitry Bivol’s surgical precision versus Beterbiev’s seek-and-destroy mentality created two compelling contests that left fans craving more.

Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in boxing could ultimately determine which fight happens next. Turki Alalshikh, the driving force behind Saudi’s boxing revolution, has publicly expressed interest in staging a Bivol-Beterbiev trilogy. With Saudi’s massive financial resources transforming the sport’s economics, they often get what they want. They’ve already succeeded in making several impossible fights happen through sheer financial muscle (like Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua).

If Alalshikh decides the trilogy generates more interest than Bivol-Benavidez, that’s likely the direction they will be heading. Boxing fans win either way – whether it’s the technical chess match with Benavidez or the trilogy decider with Beterbiev, Bivol’s next fight promises to be one of 2025’s biggest boxing events. The only losers might be the fighters’ health insurance providers!

Also Read: Dana White Officially Announces Boxing League With Saudi Royalty

• X
• Facebook
• Instagram