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The World Boxing Council (WBC) has refused to sanction a potential undisputed fight between light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, revealed that the organization cannot accept a fight involving Bivol due to the WBC's stance on Russian athletes amid Russia's ongoing military conflict with Ukraine. Beterbiev, who holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, is based in Canada, while Bivol is still a Russian national.
Bivol and Beterbiev's camps tried to reach an agreement earlier this year, but Bivol's manager, Vadim Kornilov, disclosed that the offer was not good enough. Sulaiman clarified that if Bivol and Beterbiev do reach an agreement for a future fight, the WBC title will not be at stake. Sulaiman also insisted that Beterbiev must fight his mandatory challenger, Callum Smith, before any future fights.
While Beterbiev's path is clear, Bivol has several options in front of him. He shocked the boxing world with a dominant twelve-round decision win over Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez last year, followed by another dominating win over mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez. If Canelo wins in May, Bivol may face him in a September rematch.
Sulaiman's stance on Russian athletes demonstrates the WBC's commitment to supporting Ukraine during a time of military conflict. While it is an unfortunate situation for Bivol and Beterbiev, the WBC's refusal to sanction their potential fight demonstrates the organization's commitment to political neutrality and to standing in solidarity with those affected by the ongoing conflict.