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Massive Three Bivol: Sorting the option of returning after surgery with Beterbiv, Benavidez or Canelo

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Image: Bivol's Big Three: Sorting Through the Options for a Post-Surgery Return Against Beterbiev, Benavidez, or Canelo

The unified 175-Funt champion Dmitry Bivol returned to training for the next fight after rearview surgery after winning at the beginning of this year on Artur Beterbav in a rematch.

Return options

Bivol (24-1, 12 KO) is expected to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2026, January to March. Three possible opponents:

  • Artur Beterbiev: Trilogy Match.
  • David Benavidez: For the undisputed lightweight lightweight championships
  • Canelo Alvarez: Rematch

Benavidez: Selection of fans

American fans would like the WBC Featherlight Heavyweight Benavidez champion (30-0, 24 KO) to be another Bivol, 34, to fight at the beginning of 2026. Many of them were tired of watching how Bivol will face the tardy 40-year-old Beterbiev, and want to see how he will face a adolescent warrior who can cut the ring to cut the ring to Tire him in bulky.

Turk’s vision for Bivol

Turks Alalshikh will probably be the one who decides to do the next Bivol opponent. However, it is doubtful whether Dmitry is delving in the heels and refuse to fight Benavidez. On paper, it is a more hard fight for Bivol than a match with the trilogy with Beterbiev because of the speed of Benavidez foot, a combination of impact and his brisk hands.

“Discussions on the construction of the third fight [with Beterbiev] For fans around the world. Next year, we are open to fight Benavidez or Beterbieal. We are currently not talking about a warm-up, unless Dmitry’s recovery does not go according to plan, “said Bivol Vadim Kornilov manager to World Boxing News.

This is a positive sign that Kornilov is open at the start of Bivol and Benavidez. In this fight, Benavidez must successfully defend his WBC title against Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh. Again, it will also require a fight to fit Turka’s plans for another Bivol fight.

Canelo rematch

“I’m not sure if Canelo really wants to fight. If everything goes well with rehabilitation, Bivol should be ready to fight in the first quarter of next year,” said Kornilov about his interest in the rematch between Bivol and Canelo Alvarez.

It is too early to know what Canelo’s plans are, because he still has the title defense of his unquestionable championships of super medium weight against Terenka Crawford this Saturday, September 13 in Las Vegas. Turki mentioned the fight against Canelo No. 1 Hamzah Sheeraz or the winner of November 15, 2025, Rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Bennem.

To defend himself against one of these warriors, he would play in the British fans base because they are British boxers. US fans are more interested seeing how Canelo performs a larger test against Benavidez or Bivol.

Last updated 09/06/2025

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An overhaul of the Ali Act could push tiny boxing promoters out of business

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Image: Ali Act overhaul could push small boxing promoters out

Proposed changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act are gaining attention in Washington, but some industry officials say the changes could make it more tough for smaller promoters to continue to host boxing events across the United States in many local markets across the country.

The legislation, known as the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026, includes several fresh provisions related to medical supervision and fighter protection. The proposal called for higher injury insurance, required ambulance and medical staff at events, expanded drug testing and a higher minimum pay for players.


Supporters say the changes will improve safety standards in boxing. Others believe the additional requirements could raise the costs of promoting fights.

Enormous promotional companies with powerful financial resources would probably be able to bear the higher costs. Smaller organizers who host club shows and prospect cards tend to make much less money, and their events depend on smaller venues and regional audiences to sustain them.

Under the proposal, promoters would be required to carry at least $50,000 in insurance against player injuries and $15,000 in the event of accidental death. The minimum fighter pay will also boost from $150 per round to $200 per round, and drug testing will boost for many fights.

Some boxing insiders say these extra expenses could make it more tough for smaller promoters to put on shows. Fewer local fight cards may reduce opportunities for youthful fighters trying to build their records early in their careers.

The proposal has already passed through committee in the House and is expected to go to a vote in the House soon. If the bill is approved there, it would still have to pass the Senate before reaching the president’s desk. Lawmakers continue to debate how the changes could impact boxing’s business structure while strengthening protections for fighters across the sport.

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Last update: 2026/03/12 at 3:18

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‘How can he ignore me?’: Usyk’s must-see challenger reacts to being left off the hit list

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“How can he ignore me?”: Usyk’s mandatory challenger reacts to being left off hit list

Oleksandr Usyk listed his ideal last three fights, starting with Rico Verhoeven in May, then winner Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois, and ending with a trilogy fight with the returning Tyson Fury.

Only the fight against Verhoeven is certain – which is controversial for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title – and the remaining fights are still to be negotiated, but interim champion and mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel seriously questions that list.

In a conversation on Instagram, the German heavyweight said:

“My parents always told me to stay humble and respectful. But I can no longer accept being ignored. I deserve to fight for the title.”

In an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de, Kabayel expanded on this point, saying that Usyk’s plan proves that “he is only interested in money.”

“I always respected Usyk very much for his sporting achievements and I said: ‘Hey, he’s not afraid of challenges and he keeps his words.’ But he is only interested in money; everything else doesn’t interest him. Now I noticed it again very clearly.

“How can he not name the number one in the rankings, his mandatory challenger? It’s just melancholy that he would rather fight Dubois or Fury for a third time, even though he has already beaten them both twice.”

Kabayel – who himself came to a draw in his last fight against Daniel Knyba – fully deserves a chance to win the full world title by defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang to claim the WBC interim belt. Usyk has been cleared by the sanctioning body to fight him after Verhoeven, but the Ukrainian appears likely to vacate the belt or lobby for an undisputed fight against the winner of Wardley and Dubois.

Usyk is in danger of losing not only the WBC belt, but also the IBF and WBA belts. Neither promotion has commented on the Verhoeven fight and could very well have opted to get rid of Usyk rather than follow the WBC route of putting their belt on the line, which was met with extreme fan backlash.

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Richard Torrez Jr is waiting because Frank Sanchez’s Eliminator is delayed

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Richard Torrez Jr. walks toward the ring wearing a white cap and black shirt during his entrance for his fight against Tomas Salek on November 15, 2025, at Arena Coliseo in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Richard Torrez Jr’s road to a fight for the IBF heavyweight title was delayed after Frank Sanchez suffered a knee injury that forced their scheduled eliminator to withdraw from the March 28 event in Las Vegas. The fight was considered a key move in the IBF rankings, with the winner expected to move into mandatory challenger territory.

Top executive Carl Moretti confirmed that Torrez will not remain on the Fundora-Thurman card at MGM Grand after the eliminator is removed. The fight was scheduled to go live on pay-per-view, but our focus is now on setting a fresh date for when Sanchez can return to training.


Dan Rafael reported that the fight is currently scheduled for May 30 on the undercard of the proposed Devin Haney vs. Rolando Romero. This event has not yet been finalized and the heavyweight eliminator depends on both Sanchez’s recovery and confirmation of his planned appearance.

Torrez (14-0, 12 KO) last fought in November, defeating Tomas Salek in the first round in Mexico. The 26-year-old southpaw from Tulare, California, turned professional in 2022 after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and has quickly risen through the ranks since signing with Top Rank.

Sanchez (25-1, 18 KO) is struggling with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. The 33-year-old Cuban heavyweight underwent arthroscopic surgery in June 2024 as a result of injuries suffered around the same year in his seventh-round knockout loss to Agit Kabayel.

The injury occurred during a long period of inactivity for Sanchez, who has fought only once since losing to Kabayel, defeating Ramon Olivas Echeverria in three rounds in February 2025.

The target date of May does not guarantee that the eliminator will move forward smoothly. Sanchez has only fought once since undergoing knee surgery in 2024, and now he is experiencing inflammation of the same joint again during training. If an injury prevents him from completing another camp, the IBF qualifier could face another delay, leaving Torrez waiting even longer for a fight that could move him into the must-see position.

The delay leaves the IBF eliminator question unresolved for now, and Torrez remains waiting for an opportunity that could bring him closer to a title fight.

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Last update: 2026/03/12 at 12:07

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