Vadim Kornilov, manager for WBA, IBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, does not expect the WBC to be an obstacle in a potential undisputed fight with Artur Beterbiev.
Bivol was back in action last Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Russian boxer easily dominated British contender Lyndon Arthur over twelve rounds to unite the WBA, IBO titles with a lopsided unanimous decision win.
Beterbiev, who holds the WBC, WBA, IBF world titles, has to overcome a mandatory defense against another British fighter, Callum Smith, and that fight takes place next month in Canada.
Depending on what happens in that defense, Kornilov could see Beterbiev-Bivol taking place in March or April.
In the past, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman made it very clear that his organization would not allow Beterbiev to defend their title against Bivol in protest to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Most critics of that position would often point out that Beterbiev is also a Russian fighter, although he’s lived in Canada for several years. Bivol resides in California.
However, Sulaiman indicated that Bivol’s handlers could submit an application for an exception.
“The fight with Beterbiev is possible in March or April of next year,” Kornilov said to Tass. “But he still has a fight with Smith in January. I don’t think there will be any obstacles from the WBC. And I don’t think there will be any [obstacles] with anyone else. The sanctioning bodies will want to take part in a fight of this magnitude.”
“There is little on our part that can stop this fight. In the case of Beterbiev, everything depends on the fight against Smith and on his agreement.”
The 38-year-old Beterbiev has a record of 19 wins (19 by knockout) and no losses.
Bivol, 33-years-old, also holds an unbeaten record with 22 wins (11 by knockout).