Beterbiev will not be remaching Bivol, instead fighting Deon Nicholson

It's good that Beterbiev stays active, but it's bad for Nicholson because he'll be brutally knocked out...

 

He should either retire, or move up and fight Badou Jack, it makes percect sense, Beterbiev is old, but Jack is older and Beterbiev would also have the size advantage.

 

If Benavidez and Beterbiev are fighting in fairly one-sided match ups on paper on the same card, they should literally be fighting each other instead?

Early Beterbiev KO.

 

Stinky fight

What's with everybody doing The open mouth pose

 

Benavidez is fighting Yarde.

 

Agree with this 100%

Benavidez and Beterbiev need to swap opponents

Flip side is that Beterbiev KOs Benavidez and thus disappears Benavidez's so called aura, status and all the hype associated with him and Bivol runs away even more

 

If Beterbiev KOs Benavidez, it would age Bivol's win really well but yeah it wouldn't suprise me if Bivol is hoping to age out Beterbiev.

 

And what happens if David stops Beterbiev?

 

I had Bivol edging the first and clearly winning the second and Beterbiev is getting on in years, so I'd much rather see Bivol against Benavidez.

 

Then it's end of the line for Beterbiev.

 

I understand Beterbiev's behavior; he's 40 and doesn't want to be inactive for too long. If the Russian and Benavidez win their matches, I'd like to see them face each other in 2026 (although I think a third fight with Bivol will eventually happen).

 

They will keep Benavidez away from Beterbiev only because it will derail the potential Benavidez money train.

Getting chinned by an ageing and broken fighter while being in your own physical prime makes it a hard sell to the Mexican audience who are ready to pay top dollar and are looking for a Canelo replacement.

 

In principle, yes. But the Benavidez Yarde fight was worked out a while back now, this while Beterbiev was supposedly in talks with Bivol for a third fight.
Now that the Bivol fight has fallen through, or is being postponed, might as well hop onto the Benavidez card. Gives him ample time to prepare, keeps him active, and potentially sets up a lucrative fight with the winner of the main event.

Yarde has already signed the paperwork, and I doubt he would agree to a step aside fee.

 

Tbh I already thought Bivol beat Beterbiev twice. I know they were competitive fights but I really don't understand the case for Beterbiev winning either. Would rather see Bivol fight Callum Smith then the Benavidez/Yarde winner. Would like to see Beterbiev move up to cruiser and fight Opetaia.