Dmitry Bivol has vacated his WBC light heavyweight title, choosing not to proceed with a mandatory defense against challenger David Benavides. This decision results in Benavides automatically becoming the new WBC champion.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced on social media platform X that he received formal notification from Dmitry Bivol`s lawyer, Patrick English. The notification stated Bivol`s decision to relinquish the WBC title, citing reasons that Suleiman described as unconvincing. Despite this, the WBC acknowledges Bivol`s decision, wishing him future success and officially recognizing David Benavides as the new WBC light heavyweight champion.
It`s important to remember that Bivol achieved absolute champion status in February, following a victory over Artur Beterbiev in their rematch.
