Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to face off for the second time in four months, with Beterbiev looking to retain the undisputed light-heavyweight title he gained in October of 2024.
Their first meeting was an elite-level display that saw Beterbiev go the twelve round distance for the first time in his pro campaign. In the eyes of two of the three scoring judges at ringside he did enough to win, with the other scoring it a draw.
Bivol has been gracious in defeat – his first in 24 fights – and landed a rematch quickly. Rather than criticising the decision, he has promised to train harder and leave no doubt this time around.
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Whilst both men have dominated the light-heavyweight ranks for some time, there are two recent additions to the division who fancy their chances of stealing the crown.
They are David Benavidez and David Morrell. Both recently moved up from super-middle after failing to land a fight with unified champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and, after one fight at the weight, will do battle on February 1.
The genuine bad blood between Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) and Cuba’s Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) only adds to the intrigue of what is one of the most high-level and competitive bouts on the calendar. With Morrell putting his WBA Regular belt on the line and Benavidez his WBC Interim title, the fight has everything.
What’s more, the WBC has now confirmed that the winner will be ordered to face the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol.
“Interim champion David Benavidez will fight David Morrell on February 1. The winner will be the mandatory challenger of the division to fight the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol.”
With Beterbiev set to defend his belts just weeks after on February 22, the light-heavyweight division is worth keeping an eye on.
