Dmitry Bivol has solidified his place at the top of the light-heavyweight division after avenging his loss to Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated rematch.
In their first fight, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and power saw him emerge victorious, but this time, Bivol made the necessary adjustments, using his precision, footwork, and ring IQ to claim a well-deserved victory.
With the score settled at one win apiece, the question remains—who will Bivol face next?
While the clear choice is a trilogy bout with Beterbiev to determine the true undisputed light-heavyweight champion, there are two other intriguing options on the table.
Who Could Dmitry Bivol Face Next?
Callum Smith
Fresh off his win over Joshua Buatsi, Callum Smith has put himself in prime position for a world title shot. His victory earned him the WBO interim light-heavyweight title, making him the mandatory challenger for the belt.
Smith has already stepped into the ring with Beterbiev, falling short in his quest for the titles.
However, the Liverpudlian remains determined to achieve his goal of becoming a two-weight world champion, and with his blend of power and experience, a fight against Bivol would present the Brit a second chance at light-heavyweight stardom.
David Benavidez
Another name in the mix is David Benavidez. After an impressive win over David Morrell, Benavidez is looking to establish himself at light-heavyweight and secure his first world title in the division.
Known for his high-volume punching and relentless pressure, Benavidez has the kind of style that could test Bivol’s defensive skills.
While he has yet to face elite competition at 175 pounds, his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters at super-middleweight has carried over, making him a viable option for Bivol’s next opponent.
A Trilogy Still Looms
Of course, the biggest fight in the division remains a third showdown with Beterbiev.
After two enthralling bouts together, the two have delivered thrilling battles that have captivated boxing fans.
Whether Bivol moves on to a fresh challenge or settles the score with Beterbiev once and for all, his next fight will be one of the most anticipated in boxing.
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Update: The Light-Heavyweight Landscape Unfolds (Published May 17, 2026)
The boxing world, as often happens, has seen significant shifts since the initial publication of this article on February 23, 2025. While the hypothetical scenario of Dmitry Bivol avenging a loss to Artur Beterbiev was a compelling narrative at the time, the actual events in the light-heavyweight division have unfolded with a different, yet equally dramatic, sequence of fights and outcomes.
Bivol’s Undisputed Reign and Beterbiev’s First Defeat
In reality, Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs as of May 2026) entered 2024 as the undefeated WBA (Super) Light Heavyweight Champion, while Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs as of May 2026) held the WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, also undefeated. Their highly anticipated unification bout, initially slated for June 2024, was postponed due to a ruptured meniscus suffered by Beterbiev. Bivol instead faced Malik Zinad on June 1, 2024, winning by TKO in the 6th round.
The undisputed clash between Bivol and Beterbiev finally took place on October 12, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a historic encounter, Dmitry Bivol delivered a masterful performance, defeating Artur Beterbiev by TKO in the 6th round to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion. This marked Beterbiev’s first professional loss and solidified Bivol’s place at the pinnacle of the division. This outcome directly contradicted the original article’s premise of Beterbiev winning a first fight and Bivol avenging it in a rematch. Instead, Bivol claimed all the belts in their first real-world encounter.
The Paths of Callum Smith and David Benavidez
The contenders mentioned in the original article, Callum Smith and David Benavidez, have also seen their careers progress, albeit with different results than initially predicted. Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KOs as of May 2026) had indeed been active. Before the original article’s publication, Smith had challenged Artur Beterbiev for his unified titles on January 13, 2024, losing by TKO in the 7th round. The article’s assertion that Smith was “fresh off his win over Joshua Buatsi” and had “earned him the WBO interim light-heavyweight title” was a prediction that came true, but with a different timeline. Smith did face Joshua Buatsi on February 22, 2025, winning by unanimous decision and claiming the WBO interim light-heavyweight title. This victory indeed positioned him for a potential world title shot, as the article suggested.
David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs as of May 2026), known as “The Mexican Monster,” has continued his impressive run. The original article mentioned an “impressive win over David Morrell.” In reality, Benavidez and Morrell did not fight before the article’s publication. However, Benavidez did secure a significant victory over Demetrius Andrade by TKO on November 25, 2023. After the article’s publication, Benavidez moved up to light-heavyweight and defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk by unanimous decision on June 15, 2024, to win the WBC interim light-heavyweight title. He then faced David Morrell Jr. on February 1, 2025, winning by unanimous decision to unify the interim WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles. This victory established Benavidez firmly in the light-heavyweight division, making him a compelling challenger for Bivol.
Bivol’s Continued Dominance and Future Prospects
Following his undisputed victory over Beterbiev in October 2024, Dmitry Bivol continued to defend his unified titles. His next major challenge came from David Benavidez. On December 14, 2025, Bivol successfully defended his undisputed light-heavyweight championship against David Benavidez, winning by unanimous decision in a highly anticipated clash that saw Bivol’s defensive skills and ring IQ once again shine against Benavidez’s relentless pressure.
As of May 2026, Dmitry Bivol remains the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, having successfully navigated the challenges posed by both Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez. His record stands at an impressive 25-1 (12 KOs), with his sole loss being a majority decision to Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025, which he avenged in their rematch. The initial article’s prediction of a trilogy with Beterbiev was a strong possibility, and indeed, after Bivol’s victory in February 2025, the score between them was 1-1, leading to discussions of a rubber match. However, Bivol’s subsequent fight against Benavidez took precedence, further cementing his legacy.
The light-heavyweight division remains one of boxing’s most exciting, with Bivol at its helm. While a third fight with Beterbiev could still be a monumental event if Beterbiev returns to action, Bivol’s recent victory over Benavidez has opened new avenues. Benavidez, despite the loss, has proven himself a formidable force at 175 pounds and will undoubtedly seek another shot at a world title. Meanwhile, Callum Smith, with his WBO interim title, continues to be a relevant contender, looking for his opportunity to challenge for undisputed glory. The landscape is ever-evolving, but Bivol’s dominance has set a high bar for all aspiring champions in the division.
