To be fair, the entire time Benavidez was interim champion Bivol was out of the ring with an injury. By the time he came back, Benavidez had already moved up to cruiserweight. Now he's fighting at cruiser in December and is expected to fight Jai in May. Benavidez was hardly an option for long.
Beterbiev is the better fighter People confuse more well rounded with more effective Beterbiev is the greater fighter as well Better resume and beat Bivol when even though he was already older and past his prime
2019 Beterbiev overpowers Bivol. Although I will say Bivol is incredibly tough so I would expect it to go 12 rounds. 2019 Gvozdyk vs 2025 Bivol would’ve been a barnstormer.
Having to choose from these two warriors is like choosing between a bullet in the foot or one in the hand.