Beterbiev wants Bivol trilogy before Benavidez showdown

Artur Beterbiev has made his intentions clear: he wants the rubber match with Dmitry Bivol before entertaining a fight with David Benavidez.

The former undisputed heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion told DAZN's Inside The Ring on Monday that completing the trilogy with Bivol takes priority over all other options. "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."

Bivol rivalry still unresolved after split decisions

Beterbiev and Bivol have traded majority decision wins in their two meetings. Beterbiev claimed the first in October 2024 to become undisputed at 175 pounds, but Bivol reversed the result in February 2025. The Russian said he believes he won the rematch more convincingly than the first bout and expects to perform even better in a potential third clash. He told the program he anticipates the fight happening within five or six months, though he claimed Bivol is reluctant to sign.

Bivol, who holds The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO titles, defended against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert in May with a dominant unanimous decision in Ekaterinburg. He is ranked sixth on The Ring's pound-for-pound list. Beterbiev, 41, has been inactive since the February rematch and was removed from the pound-for-pound rankings due to his layoff.

Benavidez, now the WBC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion and a two-belt cruiserweight titlist, remains a logical opponent down the line. Beterbiev said he was scheduled to fight Demond Nicholson on the same November card where Benavidez stopped Anthony Yarde, but that bout fell through. He acknowledged Benavidez's accomplishments as a three-division champion and said he is not avoiding that fight, but the Bivol trilogy comes first.

The third Beterbiev-Bivol fight has no announced date or venue. Beterbiev remains based in Montreal while Bivol continues to operate out of Russia.

Source: ringmagazine.com