Bivol’s Big Three: Sorting Through The Options For A Post-Surgery Return Against Beterbiev, Benavidez, Or Canelo

Unified three-belt 175-lb champion Dmitry Bivol is back in training for his next fight after having back surgery following his win earlier this year over Artur Beterbiev in their rematch.

Options for a Comeback

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

Artur Beterbiev: Trilogy match.
David Benavidez: For the undisputed light heavyweight championship
Canelo Alvarez: Rematch

Benavidez: The Fans’ Choice

U.S fans would like to see WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) be the next opponent for Bivol, 34, to fight in early 2026. Many of them have grown tired of watching Bivol face the slow-footed 40-year-old Beterbiev, and they want to see how he does against a young fighter who can cut off the ring to force him into grueling exchanges.

Turki Alalshikh will likely be the one who decides on the next opponent for Bivol. However, it’s questionable whether Dmitry will dig in his heels and refuse to fight Benavidez. On paper, it’s a more difficult fight for Bivol than a trilogy match against Beterbiev due to Benavidez’s foot speed, combination punching, and his quick hands.

“There are discussions of building up the third fight [with Beterbiev] for the worldwide fans. We are open to fighting Benavidez or Beterbiev next year. We are not currently discussing a warm-up battle unless Dmitry’s recovery doesn’t go as planned,” said Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov to World Boxing News.

That’s a positive sign that Kornilov is open to a clash between Bivol and Benavidez. For that fight to happen, Benavidez must successfully defend his WBC title against Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2025, in Riyadh. Again, it’ll also require the fight to fit into Turki’s plans for Bivol’s next fight.

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

It’s still too early to know what Canelo’s plans are because he still has his title defense of his undisputed super middleweight championship against Terence Crawford next Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas. Turki has mentioned Canelo fighting #1 WBC-ranked Hamzah Sheeraz or the winner of the November 15, 2025, rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.

For Canelo to defend against one of those fighters would play to the UK fanbase, as those are British boxers. U.S fans are more interested in seeing Canelo take a bigger test against Benavidez or Bivol.