David Benavidez Proposes 190 Catchweight for Dmitry Bivol Titles

Catchweight idea raises questions over sanctioning rules and title eligibility at 175

David Benavidez has suggested a 190-pound catchweight fight with Dmitry Bivol that could involve multiple titles. Current sanctioning rules, however, require light heavyweight belts to be defended at 175 pounds or below.

The Catchweight Technicality

The most glaring issue with Benavidez’s proposal is the rules of the sanctioning bodies. While Benavidez wants “all the belts involved,” the IBF, WBA, and WBC do not allow 175-pound titles to be defended at 190 pounds.

To defend a Light Heavyweight title, both fighters must weigh in at or below 175 lbs.

“I was thinking, ‘How can we make the fight even bigger?’ I was thinking maybe we do a catchweight at 190,” said Benavidez to the Ariel Helwani Show. “We get the cruiserweight belts involved, light heavyweight belts involved, and the winner takes all.

“Dmitry said he wants to fight for the cruiserweight championship before his career was over. So, maybe we can make a bigger fight like that.”

The “Weight Bully” Play: By asking for 190 lbs, Benavidez is requesting a 15-pound cushion. For perspective, that is the equivalent of jumping three entire weight classes in one go.

Why the Stakes Don’t Add Up

Benavidez argues that adding cruiserweight belts makes the fight “bigger.” However, modern fans are increasingly weary of “belt collecting” through catchweight loopholes.

Benavidez just made his cruiserweight debut this past weekend, knocking out Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in six rounds to claim the WBA and WBO titles at 200 lbs.

“I can still get to 175. If I end up fighting him, it probably won’t be until the end of the year. It won’t be in September,” said Benavidez about his belief that a fight with Bivol can happen by the end of 2026.

He is already a two-division champion. Forcing Bivol, a natural 175-pounder, to meet him at 190 is ensuring Benavidez enters the ring with a massive rehydration advantage. At a 190-pound weigh-in, Benavidez could easily walk into the ring over 210 lbs, essentially turning a championship boxing match into a heavyweight exhibition.

Benavidez vs. Bivol at 190 would be viewed as a non-sporting event. It devalues the 175-pound titles by suggesting the weight limit, the very thing that defines the division, is optional for the right price.

Bivol’s Roadmap vs. The Benavidez “Detour”

Dmitry Bivol has little reason to accept these terms. He is currently focused on:

• May 30, 2026: A mandatory defense against Michael Eifert in Yekaterinburg.
• The Beterbiev Trilogy: With the series tied at 1-1, the IBA and other organizers are pushing for the rubber match in late 2026.

For Bivol to take a “detour” at 190 lbs against a much larger man would be a massive risk for a champion who values the “Undisputed” status at 175. Unless a promoter like Turki Alalshikh offers a purse significantly higher than the $10 million Bivol earned for his last Beterbiev outings, there is no sporting incentive for the Russian to help Benavidez “snatch” his titles on such lopsided terms.

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