ESPN, DAZN Final Two Choices For Dmitry Bivol’s Future
WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has narrowed down his last two choices for his next television home.
Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, spoke to ESPN and stated that Bivol are nearing a decision on which broadcast platform he will sign with. The 28-year-old Bivol, who previously fought on HBO, is currently a free agent after HBO shut down its boxing division.
As for the options that are available, Bivol is currently deciding between ESPN and DAZN. PBC, who has broadcast deals with Fox and Showtime, was also in the running to sign Bivol and Kornilov said the two were engaged in “initial discussions” but the company is no longer being considered for Bivol’s future.
Between the last two options, both broadcast platforms are involved with the remaining three world champions at 175 pounds. ESPN is streaming the WBO title fight between Eleider Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev on ESPN+ and it also has WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk due to Top Rank being Gvozdyk’s promoter.
On the other hand, DAZN signed IBF champion Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev last fought in October on a DAZN card in Chicago in which Beterbiev knocked out Callum Johnson in the fourth round of their title bout.
Bivol’s last four fights aired on HBO, all WBA title fights. Bivol’s last fight took place in November in Atlantic City when he defeated former world champion Jean Pascal by unanimous decision. Prior to that fight, Bivol scored title defenses against Sullivan Barrera and Isaac Chilemba in March and August, respectively.
