Full Breakdown
Benavidez Accuses Bivol of Avoiding Unification Bout
4/28/2026, 9:09:00 PM
Benavidez Says Bivol Is Dodging a Fight
David Benavidez, the WBC light-heavyweight champion, told journalist Ariel Helwani that Dmitry Bivol has avoided a unification fight after a sparring session eight years ago, asserting that Bivol “felt my power up close and personal” and that the encounter still influences Bivol’s mindset.
Background & Context
Benavidez, 29, became full WBC champion after Bivol vacated the belt for back-surgery. Bivol, 35, holds the unified WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight titles, having reclaimed the WBC crown by beating Artur Beterbiev in February 2025. In May 2026 Benavidez will move up to cruiserweight against Gilberto Ramirez on May 2, while Bivol will defend his titles against Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia.
Timeline
Timeline ~2018: Sparring session. Feb 2025: Bivol beats Artur Beterbiev. Apr 22 2026: Benavidez interview alleging avoidance. May 2 2026: Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez. May 30 2026: Bivol vs. Michael Eifert.
Why It Matters
A Benavidez-Bivol unification would produce an undisputed light-heavyweight champion, boosting both fighters’ legacies and generating significant pay-per-view revenue. The bout also tests Benavidez’s power against Bivol’s technical precision.
Official Statements & Responses
Eddie Hearn told reporters, “That’s a fight we’re discussing with Luis De Cubas,” indicating active negotiations despite Benavidez’s accusations. Bivol has not commented publicly, focusing instead on his May 30 title defense against Michael Eifert.
Criticism & Opposition
Benavidez framed the lack of a bout as evidence of Bivol’s avoidance, citing the eight-year-old sparring session as a psychological factor that “got stuck in his head.” He added that “multiple opportunities” to arrange the fight have passed, implying deliberate delay.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Public statements include Benavidez’s accusations and Hearn’s confirmation of talks; Bivol’s perspective on the alleged avoidance is absent. The impact of the 2018 sparring session on current fight readiness remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I felt his power up close and personal, too, but I got the better of that. I got the better of that last sparring session we had.” — David Benavidez
- “I don’t let that get to my head because I know I have to come extremely prepared for him, but I feel like that [sparring session] kind of got stuck in his head.” — David Benavidez
- “We’ve had multiple opportunities to make this fight happen, and it hasn’t happened, so I think that speaks volumes on its own.” — David Benavidez
- “That’s a fight that we’re discussing with Luis De Cubas,” — Eddie Hearn
What’s Next
Benavidez will test cruiserweight credentials against Gilberto Ramirez on May 2, then plans to return to 175 lb and pursue Bivol. Bivol will defend his unified titles against Michael Eifert on May 30, after which the camps are expected to reconvene to finalize a unification agreement.
