Either a Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev trilogy or Bivol showdown with David Benavidez would move the needle on boxing

Riyadh Season’s The Last Crescendo, one of the most stacked cards in boxing history, ended with the coronation of Dmitry Bivol as the new undisputed light heavyweight king.

With the crown that came with Bivol defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision in their rematch Saturday night, the new 175-pound ruler has next options that can only benefit boxing once again.

Following his victory over Beterbiev, Bivol expressed to DAZN how he wanted to take some much-deserved rest before making next move.

Well, when he’s ready, the 34-year-old could decide between a trilogy with Beterbiev or a clash with David Benavidez, the interim WBA “regular” and WBC light heavyweight world champion.

Either choice would give Bivol the opportunity to add a key chapter to his growing legend and move the needle of the sweet science, altogether.

After 24 thrilling rounds between Bivol and Beterbiev have resulted in a majority decision win apiece, there’s already an organic groundswell calling for a third and final fight to end this storied rivalry between the two Russian warriors.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh only added fuel to that upsurge as DAZN’s Chris Mannix reported that Alalshikh immediately signaled for a trilogy following two of three judges scoring Saturday night’s fight in Bivol’s favor.

Elated by the result in avenging his first loss after just over four months, Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) did not delve too much into a possible third fight.

However, Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) accepted his first pro defeat and did not waste time calling for a trilogy.

“Now, it’s my time to come back,” the former undisputed light heavyweight world champion told Mannix inside the ring. “We’re gonna do a third fight.”

Considering how Beterbiev came on midway to change the complexion and win their original October fight by majority decision, courtesy of his power game, only for Bivol to make key adjustments from the seventh round on to snatch the rematch by the same result, led by his brilliant boxing, a possible trilogy already packs intrigue over which Russian fighter could emerge victorious to end this rivalry.

Another 12 rounds of Bivol-Beterbiev would be a gift.

However, the same could be said for Bivol shifting his sights toward a younger, undefeated Benavidez (30-0, 25 KOs).

The interim WBA “regular"/WBC light heavyweight champion is already a mandatory challenger, making a Bivol vs. Benavidez showdown for the undisputed crown a fascinating mega fight.

Prior to Benavidez defeating David Morrell by unanimous decision earlier this month, “El Monstro” divulged to DAZN News about his history with sparring Bivol.

 “I know Bivol really well. I’ve sparred him a lot. I have a lot of respect for him,” Benavidez said.

“Just because I’ve sparred him, [I’m] not saying he’s an easy fighter or none of that,” he continued. “I know what I can do with him.”

Benavidez added: “I want to fight the best. I’ve had a lot of experience, so now, it’s just time to really push myself and go for greatness so that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Both Benavidez and Bivol tend to overwhelm their opponents with punch volume, with Bivol doing it with movement and brilliant angles off the jab, while Benavidez opts to pressure in fighters’ faces and keep his output high with thudding punches along the way.

For Bivol, the fight would grant him the opportunity to segue from handing a destroyer like Beterbiev his first loss to putting the only blemish on Benavidez’s ledger as well in effectively cleaning out the 175-pound division.

For Benavidez, the fight would could be the launching pad to become the undisputed light heavyweight world champion, in addition to giving the 28-year-old bragging rights in doing something that Canelo Alvarez failed at — defeating Bivol.

All said, either a trilogy with Beterbiev or a clash with Benavidez would satiate Bivol’s virtuosity quite well.

Plus, it would be earmarked in the annals of boxing history as a mega converging for not only the light heavyweight division but for the sport and all the eyes in it, period.