Undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) has officially been ordered by the WBC to defend their belt against mandatory David Benavidez next. They have until April 8th to hammer out a deal.

However, given Bivol’s interest in a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev, the WBC belt will surely be dropped. Bivol doesn’t want this droid, Benavidez. Too dangerous.

This move puts Bivol in a position where he’ll decide whether to face Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) to keep his WBC belt or vacate it so he can face former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev in the trilogy match that Turki Alalshikh is reportedly interested in happening next.

Ordered: Bivol vs. Benavidez

Ring Magazine Reports that WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman states that the World Boxing Council has “officially ordered” Bivol to defend against Benavidez. If Bivol wants to keep his belt, he must defend against Benavidez. It’s as simple as that.

Bivol could pay ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez a step aside. It would have to be a good chunk of money for him to agree to let Bivol bypass him because it makes more sense for him to take the fight. It’s pointless for David to keep waiting, letting Bivol & Beterbeiv play two-square for years.

Neither of their fights has been entertaining to watch for U.S fans, who like action. Bivol runs around the ring, and Beterbiev looks slow, old, and tired. The two are boring. The best things for fans are for Benavidez to fight Bivol and finish his short reign so new blood can take over.

Fans are tired of seeing Bivol and Beterbiev fighting. They want Benavidez, 28, to get his shot because he earned it after defeating WBA ‘regular’ champion David Morrell on February 1st. Benavidez is krptonite for Bivol’s fighting style with the way he pressures nonstop, throws speedy combinations, cuts off the ring well, and never tires.

All things that allowed Bivol to succeed against Artur Beterbiev wouldn’t work against Benavidez. Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is aware of that, so he’s not eager to let Benavidez get a chance to fight him. Hearn said he wants one of these options for Bivol’s next fight:

1. Canelo Alvarez – rematch
2. Artur Beterbiev
3. Callum Smith

That’s the bigger and better fight for Benavidez. If he takes the step aside, there’s a good chance that Artur Beterbiev will defeat Bivol in their trilogy. He already beat Dmitry once, and came close to defeating him a second time in their rematch on February 22nd last month, losing a 12-round majority decision. The judges scored it 115-113, 116-112 for Bivol and 114-114. However, the fight looked like a draw. The judges worked Artur over.