Eddie Hearn has blasted the WBC for what he labels a “strange, trigger‑happy” ruling that cost Dmitry Bivol part of his newly unified light‑heavyweight crown. Bivol vacated the green belt this month when the sanctioning body ordered him to face interim titlist David Benavidez immediately after Bivol edged Artur Beterbiev in their February rematch to become undisputed at 175 lbs.
Matchroom’s promoter told BoxingScene the WBC showed “zero grace” in mandating Benavidez while Bivol was contractually tied to a third Beterbiev bout. “Normally a new champion gets time,” Hearn said. “Instead we were threatened with purse bids within weeks. It feels like payback for how long Benavidez chased Canelo at 168.”
Benavidez defended the interim strap by out‑pointing David Morrell in February and has since been installed as full WBC champion. He is now in talks to make his first defence against Callum Smith, who stopped Joshua Buatsi on the Beterbiev‑Bivol II undercard. Hearn, who also promotes Smith, said negotiations with Benavidez adviser Luis De Cubas are “positive” for a late‑summer Las Vegas date.
Critics note the contrast with Canelo Álvarez, who kept his undisputed super‑middleweight status while jumping divisions to fight Bivol in 2022. Hearn argues the WBC could have let Bivol‑Beterbiev III proceed, ordering the winner to face Benavidez next: “You safeguard the mandatory and still deliver the marquee fight. Instead, everyone loses a belt and the undisputed tag.”
The fallout leaves Bivol holding the WBA “super,” IBF and WBO titles, Benavidez with the WBC, and the trilogy’s undisputed stakes dissolved - for now.
Get to know more about Dmitry by clicking here.
Image Credit: DAZN