Claims past encounters in training have made Dmitry Bivol hesitant, while both fighters eye separate title challenges.
David Benavidez asserts that Dmitry Bivol is deliberately avoiding a fight, attributing this stance to their shared sparring sessions. Benavidez suggests Bivol remembers these "up close and personal" encounters, implying they have impacted Bivol's willingness to face him in a professional bout. This claim surfaces as both boxers are preparing for their respective upcoming title fights.
Benavidez is set to challenge Gilberto Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight championship. Simultaneously, Bivol is slated to defend his light heavyweight titles against Michael Eifert on May 23. Despite these immediate engagements, Benavidez has publicly stated his intention to pursue a fight with Bivol following his own contest. He indicated that Bivol will "definitely have to come see me" after his next defense.
The narrative of past sparring sessions has been a recurring theme. Benavidez has described hurting Bivol during these sessions, with one account from February 28, 2025, suggesting Team Bivol did not wish for him to return for further sparring after a particular round. Another report from October 23, 2025, reiterates Benavidez's claim of hurting Bivol. In contrast, a November 4, 2025, statement from Benavidez also noted he "wasn’t impressed" by Bivol during their sparring, though he acknowledged Bivol's status as a "good fighter."
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This insistence on sparring history as a deterrent for Bivol stands against potential matchmaking promoted by Bivol's team, which has reportedly favored opponents like Canelo Alvarez or Artur Beterbiev, with Callum Smith also mentioned as an option. Benavidez, however, has made his desire for a bout with Bivol clear, stating his intention to move back down to light heavyweight after his cruiserweight challenge, should a fight with the winner of Bivol and Beterbiev not materialize. His plan involves taking "all of those belts" if he moves up and then down. Benavidez has consistently been positioned as a high-risk, high-reward opponent due to his aggressive style.
