Zab Judah predicts David Benavidez to stop Dmitry Bivol

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The fight moved closer to reality after early talks between both sides following Benavidez’s sixth round knockout of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez last Saturday. Benavidez captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles with the win and is now expected to move back down to 175 pounds for a possible showdown with Bivol.

Bivol currently holds the WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles after vacating the WBC belt during his recovery from back surgery. He returns on May 30 against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert.

“It’s a good fight. I like it. I’ll still say the same thing: another (Benavidez) stoppage. I’m predicting the same thing (as the Ramirez stoppage),” Judah said. MillCity Boxing about Benavidez vs. Bivol.

“David Benavidez has his own style in boxing; he is the first fighter we know with this style. He has mastered it.

“So there’s no real defense for this style yet. Until people can fully learn this style, you’re not going to know how to defend against it.”

Benavidez’s volume punches and pressure have already caused problems for bigger fighters at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but Bivol would represent a very different kind of opponent than Ramirez. His footwork, timing and mid-range control are considered by many fans to be the exact type of style that could test whether Benavidez can carry the same offensive tempo against elite technicians.

However, negotiations for the battle may already be hitting difficulties. Reporter Fernando Sabatini said this week on X that talks between Benavidez and Bivol are “It’s not going very well,” with Bivol reportedly asking for a purse considered too high. Sabatini also noted that Bivol previously turned down an offer for a third fight with Artur Beterbiev last November, adding to questions about whether the undisputed fight could be completed without heavy support from Turki Alalshikh.