Oscar de la Hoya claims that it will be physically hard for Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiv, if they meet between them in the trilogy. He says he would like to see it, but he feels that it will be hard for both lightweight heavyweight.
De la Hoya will favor the undisputed Master Bivol (24-1, 12 KO) to defeat 40-year-old Beterbaview (21-1, 20 KO), because Bivol has the advantage of youth, speed and movement.
Oscar says he was worried that Beterbaiew had two knee braces in the ring, moving as slowly as if he were in Quicksand, and there is no possibility of cutting off the ring. Despite this, Beterbiev was in battle and looked like a knockout when he chased Bivol around the ring from the third to seven rounds.
Benavidez: Tough duel
De la Hoya says that he would like Bivol to fight the mandatory David Benavidez David Benavidez, because it would show courage on his part. However, he believes that Benavidez (30-0, 24 KO) would beat Bivol because of its high performance, the IQ ring and the ability to cut off the ring.
The whole movement, which Bivol used to defeat Beterbavie, would not work against Benavidez. He chased him and hurried. Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn, Benavidez does not seem to be interested for him. Unless he changes his mind, we’ll probably see Bivol from Beterbiev or Callum Smith again.
“I think Benavidez is quite fascinating. I think it’s a hellish fight. If he wants to be brave, if he is ready to fight Benavidez, he would certainly consolidate the Hall of Fame Bivol career. He proved to the world that he is the best at the age of 175. This is a hell of fighting. It would be a hellish way to choose from. I would go with Benavidez ” Said Oscar de la Hoya Fight Hub tv Asked who wins between Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez.
“He is smarter there, he knows how to think and knows how to adapt. I would favor Benavidez [over Bivol]. He throws more blows, is more energetic and has better leg work than Beterbiev “
Benavidez would be in a bad style of a 34-year-old bivol duel, because he does not like to be hit, and does not stay in his pocket long enough to cause damage. We saw what Bivol did tired in the 12th round of their rematch last Saturday evening on February 22, when suddenly a full gas throttle appeared for the first time. In this round he had Bivol Bloody and he battered. He fell in love with the pressure from Beterbaview. If Bivol fought with Benavidez, each round would be like that.
Chances for the rematch of Canelo
“There is no way to defeat Bivol. There is simply no way. Styles are fighting and although I would like to see the Mexican victory in this ring, a national hero, there is no way to defeat Bivol, “said De la Hoya about Canelo Alvarez, who is not able to multiply his loss with Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol dominated Canelo in his fight on May 7, 2022. Bivol size, combined impact and endurance were too high for Canelo. It would be worse for the Mexican star now, because in his fights it comes out even faster and he would not have a fuel tank that will compete for more than two or three rounds.
“From the very beginning I had Bivol. I thought that Bivol knew how to adapt and apply his boxing skills and leg work, from the side to side movement, “said De la Hoya about the Bivol rematch with Artur Beterbave on February 22. “His combinations were ruthless. I just feel that he has done a better job.
Trilogy: physical stay
“His Ring General was better. He knew how to cut the ring better and knew how to box better. He deserved to win [against Beterbiev]. Return to the back, it is very hard for the body, “said De la Hoya, asked if Bivol should take the trilogy match with Artur. “It’s very hard.
“I don’t care what era you fight, whether in the 1950s, in which they fought 30 times a year or today you are fighting. Three fights back to the body are hard for the body. It depends on them [Bivol and Beterbiev]. They make their decisions. Yes, I would like to see the third. Why not?
“I was very concerned about Beterbiev. I was worried from the very beginning because he was wearing two knee braces. Looking at his leg work, he was very stiff. He was very mechanical. He was very ponderous, a bit like Quicksand. Something like Canelo inside this ring, very ponderous, very hefty. It was my concern.
“Bivol began to move aside, and Beterbiev could not fold the distance. He followed him too slowly. That’s why Bivol had an advantage, “said De la Hoya.
David Benavidez looks to become a three-belt cruiserweight world champion in December, but whilst many fans hope to see him face Jai Opetaia in the fight that follows, there is another world champion whom ‘The Mexican Monster’ could potentially meet in 2027.
An official announcement is expected imminently for a December 5 showdown between Benavidez and WBC cruiserweight champion Michael Cieslak – with Opetaia mandated to take on the victor of that contest.
Meanwhile, another Benavidez target, Dmitry Bivol, is poised to take on Callum Smith on December 12 and then partake in a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev in Russia in 2027.
However, speaking with Inside The RingBenavidez revealed that Beterbiev has reached out to his team for a shot at cruiserweight honours, before confirming that he will give the 41-year-old Canadian-Russian exactly ‘what he wants’.
“Beterbiev has definitely reached out to our team and he has been actively trying to make that fight. So, we are going to give him exactly what he wants.
“I respect Beterbiev, he is like 45 years old so the fact that he is calling me out is why I have a lot of respect for him!
“That is a great fight for the public.”
Beterbiev hasn’t fought since he came up short in his undisputed light heavyweight title rematch with Bivol in February 2025, and could now look to move up to 200lbs in a bid to get active once again.
As for Opetaia, his mandatory position could be negated if his lawsuit against the IBF is successful and he is reinstated as their world champion, or if the winner of Benavidez-Cieslak decides to vacate the WBC world title during the aftermath.
However, should the Aussie be reinstated as a three-time IBF cruiserweight world champion, Benavidez would presumably still pursue the fight in a bid to fulfil his dream of becoming undisputed at cruiserweight.
Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are reportedly in negotiations ahead of a potential showdown in November, and newly-crowned WBA lightweight champion Floyd Schofield, who has sparred both men, has cast his verdict on how the fight may play out.
Last week, WBO welterweight world champion Haney and WBO super-lightweight titleholder Stevenson publicly agreed to a 145lb catchweight affair after weeks of back and forth on social media.
It is understood that, should it happen, Haney’s world title would be up for grabs and that no rehydration clause would be included in the fight contract – something which Stevenson had been keen for when they were last in talks for a clash.
Speaking with Sean ZittelSchofield – who defeated Lucas Bahdi to get his hands on the WBA 135lb world title on Saturday – admitted that he is favouring Haney to come out on top.
“We would have to wait and see on fight night. I think that there is different things that both of them do good, I feel like it would just be a real technical fight.
“I think that I would favour Devin because, even though he is not a crazy power-puncher, we have seen how he was able to put Brian Norman Jr. on the floor – that is something we haven’t seen before.
“The reach, the size, the boxing skill [makes me favour Devin].”
It is believed that the target fight date for Haney-Stevenson is Saturday, November 28in Atlanta, for what could be one of the biggest boxing events of the 2026 calendar.
Jai Opetaia’s proposed fight with Deontay Wilder looks like a mismatch between a prime cruiserweight and a 40-year-old former champion with four defeats in his last seven fights. Dana White wants to sell Wilder’s punching power, but selling his ability to survive Opetaia’s speed and combination punching is another story entirely.
White says that Opetaia looks set for the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua undercard on December 11 in Cardiff, naming Wilder as an active target. The bout remains unconfirmed.
“Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard. [Wilder] is one that we’ve been talking about and working on,” White said to Sky Sports. “The guy’s willing to fight anybody.”
White labeled the pairing “a very dangerous fight for him considering where he sits in his division right now.”
That view leans heavily on Wilder’s signature right hand while glossing over his recent slide. Now 40, Wilder has dropped four of his last seven outings. His stature rests on past triumphs, whereas this assignment requires coping with Opetaia’s modern rhythm, quick feet, and fluid combinations.
Raw power guarantees Wilder a puncher’s chance, yet that alone will not keep him in the contest. He must locate openings, release his shots under fire, and withstand incoming heat. Against Opetaia, every phase of that task presents real trouble.
Opetaia creates angles rather than standing stationary to absorb incoming fire. If Wilder hesitates, the Australian will bank rounds, land heavy volume, and leave the audience waiting on a counter that never lands.
The commercial upside for Opetaia makes complete sense. Wilder brings global brand value, so defeating him on a massive stadium platform elevates the Australian’s profile while placing a former heavyweight titleholder on his ledger.
Still, any victory carries context. Overcoming a faded veteran provides little indication of how Opetaia might handle the heavyweight division’s elite.
Promoters can market the sudden threat of one clean shot, but every boxing fundamental tilts toward Opetaia.
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