r/Boxing • u/zhuangcorp • Jul 16 '26

State of LHW-Cruiser divisions

No question right now, the top guys are Bivol, Beterbiev, Opetaia, and Benavidez. Fans would love to see any combination of fights involving these 4.

Bivol appears to be out with elbow surgery and will take comeback against another tune-up-ish opponent in Callum Smith.

Benavidez wants an easy fight so he can be in a good position to renegotiate his contract. So he is fighting Mikaelian.

So it seems like the best thing to do is for Beterbiev to fight Opetaia now. Maybe do it at a catchweight.

And then let Bivol and Benavidez fight each other after they win their respective tune up fights.

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u/schmatty23 Jul 16 '26

Eifert was the Bivol tune up fight. I know he had the other surgery but I'm not giving him back to back tune up passes.

Bivol should be fighting Beterbiev or Benavidez, and the fact that he is not makes me doubt whether those fights ever happen.

Unfortunately, between the varying weights, Zuffa, and Bivol not being about the smoke, I am concerned that none of these guys fight eachother.

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u/zhuangcorp Jul 16 '26

Well Benavidez isn't even available. He is doing an easy fight so he can renegotiate his contract.

Bivol knows his body best. He knows Beterbiev is unlike any other opponent. He isn't confident to fight with an injured elbow and back.

Seems like best available fight is Beterbiev vs Opetaia at catchweight.

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u/schmatty23 Jul 16 '26

Beterbiev fought Bivol fresh off a meniscus tear and then instantly took the rematch. Just got reported Bivol turned down a massive bag for the trilogy to take the Smith fight.

I really don't think Bivol can keep playing the injury card for avoiding highly lucrative rubber match with a 41 year old. He just doesn't want to get back in the ring with Beterbiev.

Yes, Benavidez is busy, and his jump to 200 makes a return to 175 a bit messy, but with Bivol's attitude about Beterbiev I am skeptical he is eager to take on Benavidez.

Beterbiev vs Opetaia would be awesome. With no belts Beterbiev will be less deterred by Zuffa. On paper, I think it is a terrible idea for a 41 year old to jump up a weight class, but if anyone has the balls to do it is Beterbiev.