Benavidez Waits within the Wings: Hearn Justifies Bivol’s Third Beterbiev Combat Over WBC-Ordered Necessary Problem

Promoter Eddie Hearn says his fighter Dmitry Bivol has a contract with Artur Beterbiev for the trilogy, and he couldn’t defend in opposition to his WBC-ordered obligatory David Benavidez. He states that he’d additionally give “his phrase” that Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) would face Artur subsequent.

(Credit score: Mark Robinson)

Hearn isn’t blissful that the WBC ordered Bivol to defend in opposition to Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) so rapidly after he grew to become his obligatory as a result of he felt he ought to have had a “grace interval” to the place he might struggle whoever. Hearn doesn’t say what that “grace interval” ought to be, however given the form of dough that Turki is paying Bivol, it wouldn’t be shocking if there have been a few years.

“We now have a contract, and we gave our phrase that we’ll struggle Beterbiev once more,” promoter Eddie Hearn stated to Fight Hub TV when requested why he selected to go within the path of a trilogy match between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev quite than matching Bivol in opposition to his WBC-ordered obligatory David Benavidez.

Equity Debate

Bivol and Beterbiev have already fought twice in a row. They’re seeking to struggle for the third straight time with out letting one of many contenders get an opportunity at preventing for the belt. When fighters hog the titles like that, it’s dangerous for the game.

It’s like having three straight Tremendous Bowls between the identical groups and utilizing the argument that the third recreation was obligatory as a result of the primary two had been cut up and thrilling to observe. It’s nonetheless not honest.

“His Excellency has achieved an amazing job with Dmitry Bivol. We’ve had 4 fights within the Kingdom,” stated Hearn. “After we misplaced a detailed struggle in opposition to Artur Beterbiev, His Excellency went out and made the rematch when he didn’t should. A part of that deal was if we win, there shall be a 3rd struggle with Artur Beterbiev.

“So, I used to be very shocked on the pace of the order. Don’t overlook that Dmitry Bivol had simply gained the WBC world title. You all the time get grace as a champion. It wasn’t like this was ordered means again and Benavidez has been ready. He solely simply beat Morrell, and it’s like, Growth, negotiations.’ Growth, ‘Purse bid.’ Telling folks the general public provide [$8 million to Bivol for Benavidez].”

The WBC may really feel that they owe Benavidez one thing as a result of they didn’t push Canelo Alvarez to defend in opposition to him when he was his obligatory for a stable two years at 168. Additionally, Bivol and Beterbiev have already fought twice. When does it finish? Who’s to say that Turki doesn’t wish to see a fourth struggle between them after their trilogy? Within the meantime, Benavidez’s profession is stalled out, ready for these two getting older fighters to let another person get an opportunity

“Has there ever been a time the place somebody from the group [sanctioning body] is publicly telling in regards to the provide that Dmitry Bivol would obtain?” stated Hearn in regards to the WBC ordering Bivol to defend in opposition to Benavidez. “It’s fairly weird, truly. It’s like making an attempt to create stress on him to take the struggle [with Benavidez]. The cash is nowhere close to what he’s going to make to struggle Beterbiev.

“It doesn’t matter if the provide was $20 million. We now have a contract. We even have our phrase, which is our bond, which we don’t ever go in opposition to, and we [Bivol] shall be taking the third struggle [with Artur Beterbiev]. We shall be preventing with His Excellency as a result of he’s given Dmitry his biggest alternative.”

Would Hearn say the identical factor if he promoted Benavidez? He’d be howling angrily, urgent exhausting for the ‘Mexican Monster’ to get his mandated title shot in opposition to Bivol.

“By the way in which, for my part, it’s very troublesome for Mauricio [Sulaiman] and the WBC since you’re below an enormous quantity of stress from all of the events pushing. It’s crucial that the best fights [translation: Hearn views Bivol-Beteriev as the greatest fight in the sport] within the sport are allowed they usually supercede generally a compulsory obligation,” stated Hearn.

“For me, Bivol-Beterbiev is the best struggle within the division. We’ve seen two of one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. Why wouldn’t you enable a 3rd for undisputed? Everyone has obtained their guidelines, we’re the place we’re.”