**** the light heavyweight division

[Butt stuff]

What's stopping Beterbiev from demanding it?

Exactly, I think he’s just happy making his money til he retires soon and Bivol seems to have the elements needed to beat him.

I’m hoping Beterbiev has a banana skin so we can get undisputed.

[DaNeutral.]

I thought the WBC were blocking the chance of it being an undisputed fight because of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.

[Clegg]

I think you're underestimating how difficult it is to force a fight.

We all wanted Donaire-Mares. The fighters wanted it, so did GBP. But Arum wouldn't make it so Donaire tried to jump ship to GBP. Ended up in a lawsuit with Arum, with the possibility of being sidelined, he ended up staying with TR. So then GBP make a big offer to do the fight, Arum refuses and says he'll only do it if it's a sole TR promotion. Fight never happens.

So if Donaire, who always fought the best and tried to make big fights happen throughout his career, wasn't able to force Arum to do a unification 'across the street', how is Beterbiev going to be able to? Is he supposed to refuse the Smith fight even though it would mean vacating a title? Sit on the sidelines refusing to face anybody other than Bivol?

Bivol has one fight left on his MR deal, I feel like they Hearn is dragging it out as long as possible because he won't re-sign. Smarter for Bivol to just get it over with and then he can negotiate a unification with Arum.

[Mammoth]

I think you're underestimating how difficult it is to force a fight.

We all wanted Donaire-Mares. The fighters wanted it, so did GBP. But Arum wouldn't make it so Donaire tried to jump ship to GBP. Ended up in a lawsuit with Arum, with the possibility of being sidelined, he ended up staying with TR. So then GBP make a big offer to do the fight, Arum refuses and says he'll only do it if it's a sole TR promotion. Fight never happens.

So if Donaire, who always fought the best and tried to make big fights happen throughout his career, wasn't able to force Arum to do a unification 'across the street', how is Beterbiev going to be able to? Is he supposed to refuse the Smith fight even though it would mean vacating a title? Sit on the sidelines refusing to face anybody other than Bivol?

Bivol has one fight left on his MR deal, I feel like they Hearn is dragging it out as long as possible because he won't re-sign. Smarter for Bivol to just get it over with and then he can negotiate a unification with Arum.

Beterbiev is almost 40. He needs to make Arum make the fight or leave. Same with Bivol.

[-Kev-]

Ok but why aren't the fighters putting their foot down, demanding the fight be made?

You have to have some leverage, good star power to do that. Not just anyone can boss their promoter around. Beterbiev and Bivol have no leverage. They’re at the mercy of their promoter.

[_Rexy_]

What's stopping Beterbiev from demanding it?

WBC has been blocking it. Ideally they drop belts and fight anyways, but that hasn't happened since Tarver/Johnson

[-Kev-]

Beterbiev is almost 40. He needs to make Arum make the fight or leave. Same with Bivol.

Do their contracts allow them to just leave? I think you’re really thinking like a straight up fan here, you’re really not taking contracts into consideration.

We all want the fight, but we all know Arum blocks fights. Even his own fights like Gamboa vs JuanMa Lopez.

[Clegg]

Beterbiev is almost 40. He needs to make Arum make the fight or leave. Same with Bivol.

So you're saying that Bivol should refuse to take any other fight? Surely it makes far more sense to just get his last Matchroom fight over with and then he's a free agent and can make the fight happen?

If Beterbiev is signed to a deal, he can't just up and leave. Not how contracts work. Didn't work for Donaire did it? What Arum fighter did that approach ever work for?

It is frustrating having to wait, knowing the fight might never happen. But there is just no realistic way it can happen next, it happening the fight after that is at least possible.

[LG Motel 22]

Damn shame Bivol is barely fighting, man is in his prime and we need to see him out as often as we can, even if it is against lesser opponents while he waits til the promotional ****e is sorted.

[Mammoth]

WBC has been blocking it. Ideally they drop belts and fight anyways, but that hasn't happened since Tarver/Johnson

Just make the fight anyway. Have it not on the line for Bivol. Nobody cares.