“After I beat Bivol, I’m going to be the primary pound-for-pound fighter on the earth,” said Benavidez to Ariel Helwani.
“He’s definitely going to have to return see me after this fight [Michael Eifert]. All those belts are leaving with David Benavidez.”
The $20 Million Roadblock
Benavidez believes his win over Zurdo forces the difficulty, but he’s overlooking the financial gravity of the Bivol-Beterbiev rivalry. Bivol has already pocketed roughly $20 million across his last two fights with Artur Beterbiev.
For Bivol, the risk-reward ratio of fighting Benavidez without delay makes zero sense. A 3rd fight with Beterbiev is a guaranteed atmospheric payday, likely one other $10 million+ check.
If Bivol fights Benavidez and loses, the interest and the huge purse for a Beterbiev trilogy evaporate immediately.
Bivol already easily beat Zurdo Ramirez years ago. In Bivol’s mind, Benavidez just cleared a hurdle Bivol jumped in 2022, but he didn’t break latest ground.
A Division in a Holding Pattern
Benavidez is speaking as if Bivol is a goal in a vacuum. In point of fact, the 35-year-old champion is managed by a strict calendar.
Bivol must face Michael Eifert on May 30 to maintain his IBF strap. He’s coming off major back surgery for a herniated disc. At 35, the bounce-back time isn’t what it was once.
By the point Benavidez could realistically get Bivol within the ring, likely 2027, he’ll be fighting a 36-year-old veteran with a surgically repaired back and the damage and tear of a Beterbiev trilogy.
Benavidez’s pressure and volume are elite, but his biggest weapon without delay may be time. He’s aiming at the best name, however the version of Bivol he eventually meets might be a shell of the present undisputed king.
Beating a reputation is one thing. Beating the prime version of that name is one other. Benavidez is betting his legacy on a timeline that Bivol, the sanctioning bodies, and the Saudi financiers have little interest in accelerating.
