Undisputed light heavyweight talks reportedly face early financial disagreements after Benavidez’s cruiserweight title win
Zab Judah believes David Benavidez would stop Dmitry Bivol if the two meet later this year for the undisputed light heavyweight championship. The fight has moved closer following Benavidez’s stoppage win over Gilberto Ramirez, although early negotiations are reportedly facing financial disagreements.
The fight has moved closer to reality after early discussions between both sides following Benavidez’s sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez last Saturday. Benavidez captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles with the win and is now expected to move back down to 175 pounds for a possible showdown with Bivol.
Bivol currently holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles after vacating the WBC belt during his recovery from back surgery. He returns on May 30 against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert.
“It’s a good fight. I like it. I’ll still say the same thing: another [Benavidez] stoppage. I predict the same thing [as the Ramirez stoppage],” said Judah to MillCity Boxing about Benavidez vs. Bivol.
“David Benavidez has his own style in boxing; he’s the first fighter we know with this style. He’s mastered it.
“So there is no real defence for this style yet. Until people can learn this style completely, you’re not going to know how to defend against it.”
Benavidez’s volume punching and pressure have already caused problems for larger fighters at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but Bivol would represent a much different type of opponent than Ramirez. His footwork, timing, and control at mid-range are viewed by many fans as the exact type of style that could test whether Benavidez can carry the same offensive pace against elite technicians.
Negotiations for the fight may already be hitting problems, however. Reporter Fernando Sabatini said this week on X that talks between Benavidez and Bivol are “not going very well,” with Bivol reportedly asking for a purse viewed as too high. Sabatini also noted that Bivol previously turned down an offer for a third fight with Artur Beterbiev last November, adding to questions about whether the undisputed fight can be finalized without major backing from Turki Alalshikh.
