Dmitry Bivol recently won the undisputed light-heavyweight title against Artur Beterbiev and with David Benavidez eyeing the champion next, a Joe Rogan podcast guest makes clear what may happen if the pair meet in the ring.
Dmitry Bivol cemented himself as a pound-for-pound talent when he defied the odds and his past misfortune to dethrone Artur Beterbiev for all the marbles at light-heavyweight. Bivol joins an 11-man list of undisputed world champions.
With one apiece, it seems a trilogy between the pair may be the obvious choice, though there are three other options for Bivol.
The first and least likely is a Canelo Alvarez rematch – Bivol defeated Canelo comprehensively as the Mexican dared to be great in the higher weight division. Bivol has not expressed interest in taking a rematch.
The second choice is a world title defense against Callum Smith, who defeated Joshua Buatsi in a fight of the year slugfest that received a standing ovation from Eddie Hearn. Smith has already challenged for the titles once against Beterbiev and lost, but is keen to try once more.
The final option is another contender at light-heavyweight – David Benavidez.
David Benavidez dropped Dmitry Bivol with a jab
Peter Berg, the director of movies such as ‘Hancock’, ‘Lone Survivor’, and ‘Deepwater Horizon’ appeared on the Joe Rogan Podcast to discuss his life and career.
Speaking on Berg’s training and fitness the subject of boxing came up, with Berg telling Rogan that Bivol trains in his gym sometimes.
Berg initially said in error that it was Bivol who dropped Benavidez, but later clarified that it was the other way around:
“The hardest punch I’ve ever seen anyone throw in my life was in our gym. David Benavidez was sparring Bivol […] Bivol caught him and dropped him with a jab.”
In a social media post, Berg clarified what he meant: “I was wrong. I said that Bivol dropped Benavidez […] I remembered it wrong it was Benavidez that dropped Bivol. […] David Benavidez, I’m sorry I said that I got it wrong.”
Benavidez himself has said he preferred Bivol to win against Beterbiev, as he wanted to show he could beat the man who beat Canelo, who he says is ducking him.
How many times has David Benavidez been dropped?
Benavidez has proven to be a durable fighter, with wins over Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has shown his ability, but he is not invincible.
Benavidez has been dropped just once in his career, which came in his most recent fight against undefeated David Morrell, who gave a good account of himself in their light-heavyweight showdown.
Morrell dropped Benavidez in the eleventh round of their encounter, becoming the first man to put the monster onto the canvas.
Benavidez picked himself up, though, and went on to defeat Morrell, who many say was too green at the time of the fight.