Benavidez camp disputes Beterbiev rejection, open to fight next

David Benavidez's father has pushed back on Artur Beterbiev's version of fight negotiations, saying the WBC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion is ready to face the Russian next if the Beterbiev side is willing.

Beterbiev told Match TV recently that he agreed to fight Benavidez after his November bout with Anthony Yarde, but that Benavidez's team rejected the offer and opted for Gilberto Ramirez instead. Jose Benavidez Sr. told The Ring that account is backwards.

Benavidez Sr. says Beterbiev camp showed no interest

"We went to Artur Beterbiev and his team before the Anthony Yarde fight but they weren't interested in the fight," Benavidez Sr. said, per The Ring. "We have no problem fighting Beterbiev next. There's no need for trash talk. Let's make the fight happen."

Benavidez stopped Yarde in seven rounds last fall before moving up to cruiserweight and taking the WBA and WBO straps off Ramirez in six rounds this past May. Beterbiev has been inactive since losing his undisputed heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight crown to Dmitry Bivol in February, and the Russian is reportedly targeting either a trilogy fight with Bivol or a showdown with Benavidez.

Benavidez Sr. made clear that Bivol remains the priority target, as a win there would give his son a shot at undisputed status at 175 pounds. "Our preference is Bivol," he said. "He beat Canelo Alvarez. He beat Zurdo Ramirez and beating him would give David a chance to become undisputed but Beterbiev is the more dangerous fighter. We would love to fight him next. We can make it happen whenever they want."

Bivol holds The Ring, IBF, WBA, and WBO titles after outpointing Michael Eifert in his first fight in 15 months. No date has been announced for either potential matchup.

Source: ringmagazine.com