Beterbiev On His Next Fight

Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) has made his priorities clear, insisting a trilogy fight with unified lightweight champion Dmitry Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) comes before any potential matchup with David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs).

The two former undisputed light heavyweight champions are level at one win apiece following two closely contested championship fights, but Beterbiev believes the scoreline should read differently. The 41-year-old suggested Bivol has been reluctant to commit to a third meeting.

“I really want the rubber match. 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. I believe I won the second fight better than the first one. For sure, the third fight is going to happen and I’ll do better than both of them. I’m expecting the third fight to happen in minimum five or six months, but he doesn’t want to fight,” Beterbiev

Bivol currently holds the Ring, WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles after defeating Michael Eifert on May 30 in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Interest in a Beterbiev-Benavidez fight has grown since Benavidez moved up to cruiserweight and stopped Gilberto Ramirez to become a three-division world champion on May 2. Beterbiev said the Benavidez fight appeals to him — just not yet.

“I respect what Benavidez did already in boxing. He became a three-category world champion, and I’m not avoiding fights with Benavidez or someone else. First, I’m more focused to do the rubber match,” Beterbiev