WBC President: Dmitry Bivol-David Benavidez Would Be Best 175-Pound Matchup
Aug 26, 2025
1 min read
David Benavidez will make his first full WBC light heavyweight title defence in two-and-a-half months' time against longtime contender Anthony Yarde, though WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman believes another matchup represents the division's best and cou...
The light heavyweight division has the sort of names that can make your head spin.
David Benavidez, Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, David Morrell, Callum Smith and many others. In short, those aforementioned fighters and a few not mentioned, have what it takes to grab the division by the throat.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is unsure who should be considered the division's best, though knows what the best matchup would be in his view.
"That would be the best light heavyweight fight," Sulaiman told The Ring in reference to Benavidez-Bivol.
Unfortunately for Sulaiman and all boxing fans who like the matchup, we won't be getting it anytime soon. Bivol was mandated to defend his WBC title against Benavidez, though instead preferred to focus his attention on securing a Beterbiev trilogy.
Once he opted to relinquish his belt, Benavidez was elevated from interim champion and in the months since, Bivol has undergone back surgery on a longstanding issue to curtail his 2025 plans.
Benavidez, meanwhile, will make his Riyadh Season debut and first full championship defence against two-time challenger Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in the Ring IV main event in the Saudi capital on November 22 on DAZN.
Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) made public his unhappiness about waiting for Bivol before the injury news was announced, and now the former undisputed champion will return on the undercard against Deon Nicholson.
Although both men have business to take care of in November, the 28-year-old admitted a fight with the Russian star was possible. Sulaiman doesn't interfere or like playing matchmaker, but has an open mind to all options for Benavidez.
Keeping the cards close to his chest as ever, he added: "I'm sorry for Bivol being out with an injury, but we will see what happens in the near future."
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