What’s Next For Artur Beterbiev Six Months Removed From Dmitry Bivol Defeat
Six months. That’s how long it has been since boxing last witnessed two of its modern greats share the ring for the second straight time. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, two men carved from championship granite, went to war twice in four months. The results: one razor-thin victory apiece, and a rivalry that now hangs perfectly, tantalizingly, in the balance.
Beterbiev, ferocious as ever, left his mark on the first encounter in December 2024, battering Bivol with the sort of relentless pressure and surgical brutality that has defined his career. The Chechen-born Canadian boxer’s narrow and controversial majority decision victory secured his spot in the history books. Not only will he go down in history as one of the best Canadian boxers of all time, alongside the likes of Lennox Lewis, but he will also be remembered as one of the finest of his generation.
In the rematch, however, Bivol would also go on to cement his legacy. The ice-cold Russian tactician, armed with technical mastery and having made subtle adjustments, scored a narrow but fair decision of his own to reclaim the titles and level the pair’s series at 1-1. Since that fateful night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, neither man has returned to the ring.
And now, six months on, the fight game waits. There are no contracts, no announcements, no official clues as to what’s next for either man. So, who are the contenders to be Beterbiev’s next, and perhaps final, victim? Let’s take a look.
Dmitry Bivol Trilogy
First, the option that has dominated every conversation since February: Beterbiev-Bivol III. Rivalries such as this—locked at 1–1, both fights incredibly close and competitive, with each man suffering at and inflicting pain on the other—are rare. And from a historical lens, trilogies are often where legends are truly made.
Think Ali-Frazier, Gatti-Ward, and in modern times, Fury-Wilder. Saudi boxing czar Turki Al‑Sheikh is eager to host the rubber match between two of the planet’s very best, with Riyadh and, surprisingly, even Moscow rumored to be the favored destinations. The potential gate, global broadcast reach, and championship stakes make this not just a sporting event, but a cultural happening.
Statistically, the case is airtight: in their previous two bouts, punch stats were razor-close—Bivol averaged 22.1 punches landed per round, Beterbiev 23.7. The margin couldn’t have been slimmer with both men securing a majority decision victory, but neither able to unanimously put the rivalry to bed. With legacy on the line, this is a fight that would define the era, and both all-time greats know it.
David Benavidez
Should an iconic trilogy ultimately not come to fruition, then Beterbiev may well turn his attention to dangerous new blood. Enter David Benavidez, the 6’2 “Mexican Monster” who ascended from interim to full WBC champion when Bivol vacated, and who has been on a tear that’s made experts reach for the record books.
The division’s most imposing new force currently finds himself campaigning at light heavyweight after being continually avoided at super middleweight by undisputed champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. As such, he remains without a blockbuster victory on his resume, and he may well see the 40-year-old Beterbiev as the marquee name required to catapult him to superstardom.
Numbers don’t lie: Benavidez sports an undefeated record, a 79% knockout rate, and has upped his punch output since arriving at 175 pounds. His aggression is volume-heavy, suffocating, and relentless—the sort of style that could impose unique risks to Beterbiev’s aging reflexes, especially after two taxing wars.
This is the archetypal test of eras: Beterbiev’s proven power and chin versus Benavidez’s youthful fury and unyielding work rate. With WBC gold set to be on the line, as well as a bucketload of cash for a Stateside clash, this bout could prove to be too tantalizing to turn down.
Anthony Yarde
Of all the potential suitors, perhaps none want Beterbiev more than Anthony Yarde—a man still haunted by their January 2023 epic, a nine-round shootout that saw Yarde stagger the champion, but ultimately fall victim to Beterbiev’s merciless finish. Since then, Yarde has rebuilt his stock with surgical efficiency, most recently outclassing Lyndon Arthur in a performance many insiders declared his finest yet.
Yarde’s accuracy has improved 16% since their first meeting, and his stamina over 12 rounds is no longer in doubt. Add to that his growing fanbase in the UK, and this rematch has the financial sizzle stadium promoters crave. For Beterbiev, it’s a double-edged sword: a familiar foe who has learned from the past, plotting revenge with home advantage and fresh momentum. Does the risk outweigh the reward?
Joshua Buatsi
Joshua Buatsi’s ascent has been methodical, but lethal. Undefeated, with a technical arsenal that includes a razor-sharp jab and measured aggression, the British star is now a fixture atop the rankings lists. Since 2022, Buatsi’s knockdown percentage has climbed steadily, underlining an evolution in power and finishing instinct.
Beterbiev vs. Buatsi is the sort of crossroads clash boxing thrives on—a test not just of physical skill, but of nerve. Buatsi’s footwork and ring IQ, combined with Beterbiev’s calculated pressure, would deliver sustained tension and moments of real drama. Don’t underestimate the commercial pull if staged at The O2 or Wembley—British boxing’s hunger for a new champion is as ravenous as ever.
