Lawyer Explains Bivol’s Refusal of WBC Title

Patrick English, attorney for WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs), has issued a statement explaining why his client declined the WBC title after being ordered to defend it against David Benavidez.

According to English, the decision was rooted in a key priority: securing a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs). In a formal letter to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, English outlined the reasoning.

“Everyone in boxing knows there’s a commitment to a third fight with Artur Beterbiev. We're working on finalizing that matchup.

Additionally, we’re disappointed by the sanctioning bodies’ failure to adhere to the rotation system established years ago. You are aware that the IBF has asserted its priority and believes its mandatory challenger should be next in line for Bivol,” English wrote.

Sulaiman didn’t take kindly to the explanation, publicly dismissing the letter’s content.

“I just received a cold, impersonal message from Dmitry Bivol’s lawyer, Patrick English, filled with such absurd arguments that I’d rather not even discuss them.

The letter states that Bivol has decided to vacate the WBC light heavyweight world title.

We wish him success, and hereby confirm that David Benavidez is now the reigning WBC light heavyweight champion,” Sulaiman declared.

As previously reported, the WBC had ordered Bivol to defend his title against Benavidez, but the Russian champion chose to vacate the belt to prioritize the highly anticipated trilogy with Beterbiev—a matchup considered one of the most significant in modern light heavyweight boxing.