Report: Bivol to vacate WBC title, pursue Beterbiev fight

Undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will relinquish the WBC title in order to forgo Tuesday's purse bid for a fight against mandatory challenger David Benavidez, according to a letter obtained by The Ring's Mike Coppinger.

Bivol informed the sanctioning body he plans to move forward with a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev instead. The matchup will likely take place in October, a source told boxing reporter Dan Rafael.

As a result, Benavidez, who holds the WBC interim light heavyweight title, will be elevated to full champion. He's expected to make his first defense this summer, according to Boxing Scene's Jake Donovan.

Bivol and Beterbiev have fought twice in the last seven months, earning one victory apiece. Bivol claimed the undisputed 175-pound championship with a majority decision win over Beterbiev in February. Beterbiev earned a majority decision in their first fight last October, handing Bivol his first career loss.

Bivol will still hold the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles after vacating the WBC belt.

Bivol, 24-1 as a professional, is one of the top-ranked pound-for-pound boxers in the world.