After a blazing rematch, talk of a “decisive” third bout between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev sounded inevitable: both boxers’ teams and the promoters publicly expressed interest. But as summer gave way to autumn, the prospects for a final act dimmed. Schedules diverged, sanctioning bodies reminded everyone of the rulebooks, and media focus shifted to other fights. In the end, the trilogy—seemingly ready to launch—froze in limbo.
Beterbiev Is Booked: New Date and New Opponent
Artur’s calendar is set: on November 22 he will face American Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) at The Ring IV Night of Champions. The same event also lists David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde. That layout effectively crosses the trilogy off the 2025 slate: even if Beterbiev gets past Nicholson unscathed, the “window” to prepare for a third fight with Bivol before year’s end has already closed.
Another wrinkle is the status of the belts. WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán insisted that after the rematch Bivol should make a mandatory defense against Benavidez. Instead, Dmitry vacated the title and the vacant belt landed with Benavidez. As a result, the pathway to the trilogy is even more complicated: each side has its own obligations and mandatory challengers in line.
“How Old Do I Need to Be?” — A Public Jab at Bivol
Another slowing factor is communication between the camps. Beterbiev openly stated he was ready to return as early as February despite post-surgery recovery, and he expected similar timelines from the other side. First, an August date circulated, then “late autumn,” then “year’s end,” and now—according to Artur—there are no targets at all. His remark sounded sharp and almost personal: “Dima, how old do I need to be for us to have the third fight?” — Beterbiev turns 41 in January.
Silence From Bivol’s Camp and Questions About Readiness
Dmitry offered no direct response. In the public eye there were travel photos and the occasional training shot. In July, Bivol unexpectedly held an open session with Zenit, which stoked debates about his form: some fans read it as an “off-season” signal rather than a finishing camp for title fights. The question “when and against whom?” remains unanswered.
IBF Points to the Rulebook: Eifert Is Next in Line
While fans argue about timelines for the trilogy, the regulations keep moving. Even after Beterbiev’s first win over Bivol, the IBF indicated a mandatory defense against Germany’s Michael Eifert — now applicable to Bivol. Dmitry’s manager Vadim Kornilov explained the rotation logic: the Beterbiev rematch took priority as a higher-significance event, but Eifert logically stands next in line. If the third fight is set “within a reasonable timeframe,” the IBF could revisit priorities, yet the winner would in any case have to face the German. The basic math is simple: with Beterbiev contracted for November 22, the most realistic next step for Bivol is the IBF-mandated defense.
Cruiserweight as a Backup Path? For Now, Just an Idea
In the spring, Dmitry was asked about a possible move to cruiserweight. His answer was cautious: the thought “crossed his mind,” but becoming a champion at cruiserweight straight away doesn’t look realistic right now. In essence, it’s not a plan—more a line cast for the future: interesting, but distant in practical terms.
Russia or Riyadh: Geography as a Negotiating Factor
There were at least two venue scenarios for the third fight. The first was Riyadh: rumor had it Turki Alalshikh wanted to stage the trilogy at the same November event featuring Benavidez, then pivot to a bout for undisputed. The second was Moscow: IBA head Umar Kremlev publicly proposed Luzhniki with an ambitious target of 100,000 spectators and said negotiations had begun. At July’s IBA.PRO 7 in Istanbul, he confirmed the work was ongoing.
Insider reports added more configurations: mentions of “Riyadh Season,” talk that both boxers were open to Russia with different organizers, and claims that Turki had no objections. But after the official announcement of Beterbiev–Nicholson, the November window for the trilogy effectively vanished, and the geography reverted to theory.
What’s in the Way Right Now: Three Knots to Untie
- First, the schedule. Beterbiev is tied to November 22, and Bivol must identify his next opponent. Any trilogy requires a full camp and proper promo lead times — at least several months.
- Second, the sanctioning bodies. The IBF mandatory against Eifert hasn’t gone away. Any “exceptions” are only possible via agreed priorities and written waivers from the organizations.
- Third, the event and the venue. Moscow’s Luzhniki is a mega-project with logistics, security, and broadcast rights; Riyadh is a competing stage with its own calendar and requirements. Aligning everyone’s interests is not a one-call task.
Bottom Line: The Trilogy Isn’t Canceled, But It’s on Pause
Formally, no one has said “never.” Practically, it’s “not now.” Beterbiev has a date and an opponent; Bivol has IBF obligations and a need to regain a steady competitive rhythm. Artur’s age adds drama, yet sports bureaucracy and promotion logistics don’t accelerate because of emotional soundbites. For the third fight to happen, both sides must synchronize calendars, secure a “green light” from the bodies, and select a stage capable of handling the event’s scale. Until then, Bivol–Beterbiev remains the light heavyweight division’s biggest unfinished storyline — the one fans are ready to watch “tomorrow,” but that, objectively, doesn’t fit into “the day after.”
