Beterbiev wants Bivol rubber match over Benavidez next

Artur Beterbiev wants a third fight with Dmitry Bivol more than he wants David Benavidez next.

The Russian veteran told Inside The Ring on DAZN that completing the trilogy with Bivol comes first, even as a potential showdown with the two-division champion looms. Beterbiev and Bivol split their first two meetings, alternating majority decisions for the undisputed heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight championship. Beterbiev took the initial bout in October 2024, while Bivol won the rematch this past February.

"I really want the rubber match," Beterbiev said, per The Ring. "I think everyone wants [the] rubber match, and I feel good. If you want to check if I'm good or not, make this fight happen and I will show you."

Timeline and Bivol's willingness in question

The 41-year-old said he believes a third meeting could happen within five or six months, though he claimed Bivol is reluctant to make the fight. Bivol, who holds The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO titles at 175 pounds, last fought in late May when he outpointed mandatory challenger Michael Eifert in Russia. Beterbiev has been inactive since their February rematch.

Beterbiev acknowledged respect for Benavidez, who captured world titles at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight, heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but said the Bivol trilogy remains his focus. A planned matchup with Demond Nicholson on the same November card where Benavidez stopped Anthony Yarde fell through, which might have positioned Beterbiev to fight Benavidez sooner.

"I'm not avoiding this kind of fights with Benavidez or someone else," Beterbiev said. "First, I'm more focused to do rubber match [versus Bivol]." Beterbiev is expected to make a formal announcement on his next opponent once Bivol's camp responds to the callout.

Source: ringmagazine.com