Dmitry Bivol's 2027 Hit List: Beterbiev, Canelo or Benavidez Next

Bivol Isn't Looking Past Callum Smith — But He's Definitely Looking Ahead

Dmitry Bivol just put the boxing world on notice. The light-heavyweight ruler, fresh off reclaiming undisputed status with a win over Artur Beterbiev and a tune-up victory over Michael Eifert, says there are only three fights left that actually matter to him: a trilogy with Beterbiev, a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, or a crossover clash with David Benavidez.

"I will tell you which fights are big for me now, and I think people will agree: this is Beterbiev, this is Canelo and this is Benavidez. I think only with these fighters we can make a big fight," Bivol said.

That's not a throwaway comment — it's a statement of purpose from a 35-year-old who knows his prime window is closing and wants his legacy fights locked in before it does.

First, There's Unfinished Business

Before any of that can happen, Bivol has to get through Callum Smith on December 12. The former undisputed super-middleweight champ is a live threat, not a stepping stone, and a bad night for Bivol would blow up every future plan on that list. Smith is big, skilled, and has nothing to lose — exactly the kind of opponent who can turn a victory lap into a nightmare.

If Bivol wins clean, the door opens to the fights fans actually want.

Why These Three Names Specifically

**Beterbiev trilogy**: Their first fight went to Beterbiev by majority decision. Their second went to Bivol by the same scorecards. A rubber match at 175 would settle the score and likely headline as one of the biggest light-heavyweight events in years.

**Canelo rematch**: Bivol beat Canelo clearly in 2022, a result that still lingers over Canelo's résumé. A second fight — especially with Canelo now carrying even more star power after his super-middleweight reign — would be a massive pay-per-view draw and a chance for Bivol to prove 2022 wasn't a fluke.

**Benavidez showdown**: This is the fight general fans are salivating over. Benavidez just became a three-division champion by capturing cruiserweight titles in May, and his aggressive, high-volume style against Bivol's technical precision is a stylistic dream matchup. The catch: Benavidez appears to be settling in at 200lbs, with a December 5 date against Michal Cieslak on the schedule, which could complicate a Bivol fight logistically.

What's Actually Realistic

Out of the three, the Beterbiev trilogy feels most natural given the shared weight class and unfinished rivalry. Canelo makes the most financial sense. Benavidez is the dream fight but faces the biggest hurdles around weight and timing. For now, all roads run through Callum Smith on December 12 — win that, and Bivol's 2027 becomes one of boxing's most anticipated chess games.