Bivol-Beterbiev III delayed to 2026

Beterbiev winning the first fight was largely seen as a robbery and therefore demanded an immediate rematch to "right the wrong" of the first fight. But before the rematch even happened the trilogy was already being talked about, as if the whole first decision and everything was just a scheme to create a trilogy from the beginning.

 

The Saudis have made it clear their love for instant rematchs and its one of the several reasons I don't approve of their stewardship of boxing. In "undisputed" divisions these rematches ruin the sport because theres one belt.

I'm not disputing Bivol deserved a rematch(it was a close fight not a robbery). I'm mad it was an instant rematch with no fights in between because I want to see something resembling a prime Beterbiev face as many opponents as possible. The age gap between Beterbiev and Bivol is much smaller than Benavidez and he has more time to circle back for a trilogy. Bivol could have fought Buatsi instead of Smith and Beterbiev v Bivol II coming off wins over Benavidez and Buatsi would have been even bigger. And if Bivol wanted to he could have waited while Beterbiev fought hes got more years at the highest level left. We'll be lucky to get Beterbiev to fight one time after the trilogy before hes 42.

I can't believe I'm writing this combination of words but I like how Fury and Wilder handled their rematch with the two fights in between. We need more of that.

I didn't see the first fight as a robbery and don't think fighters who lost the last however many rounds should be screaming robbery because in the 15 round era they would have no leg to stand on. Especially when they are the younger fighter. In my book we didn't learn anything from the rematch and will learn less from the third fight(which Bivol is likely to win handidly). Beterbiev losing his 100% but getting a comeback win will be my main takeaways from this series no matter what happens in the third fight. If Bivol destroys Beterbiev its cause he was old, if its a close classic people argue about ad nausiem we've already done that, if Beterbiev wins easily then how good was Bivol?

 

Bivol is ageing out Beterbiev, like he has been doing for years now. Beterbiev will be 41 if a trilogy fight happens.

Dmitry Bivol’s legacy:
- being a paper champion promoted from the interim belt (an email champion like Haney was)
- sitting on the said paper WBA belt for years defending against nobodies while Beterbiev unified 3 titles one by one against champions to become lineal
- blown up shot middleweight Canelo
- weight-drained cruiserweight Zurdo Ramirez
- 40 year old shot Beterbiev after ageing him out for years
- having the opportunity to defend against prime Benavidez but dropping the WBC belt to duck him

I’m a fan of his skills inside the ring but no one calls out his history of ducking and dodging prime fighters.

Beterbiev was the best at light heavyweight in his era, and prime for prime was the better fighter, no doubt about it.

 

There will be a trilogy because Beterbiev dominated Bivol in both fights. The belts belong to Beterbiev.

 

I agree, but not with this part. This dragged out their rivalry by significant margins, and neither fighter took a meaningful fight in-between. Well, Wilder rematched Ortiz, which was decent, but that was another random rematch.

 

Bivol is ageing out Beterbiev again

I received hundreds of questions about the third fight, that’s why I decided to answer here.

As you know, the first fight for the absolute champion title took place in October last year. After five years of attempts to unify the belts, it was still successful. The day after the first fight, we agreed on a rematch, which was to take place within four months, despite the fact that I was after the operation, and my coach and doctor were categorically against such an early rematch.

After the second fight, I immediately showed interest in an early third fight, and at first there were rumors about the fight in August, but my opponent said in an interview that he wanted to hold it in late autumn, then - at the end of the year, and now - it is completely unknown when.

Dima, how old do I have to be so that we can fight for the third time?

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Beterbiev should just fight again to stay busy. Age is not on his side

 

if he fights again he’s risking another massive payday. Given he’s at the end of his career, unfortunately, far smarter to just wait for Bivol. You don’t risk a $10mil payday at the end of your earning days for a $1mil payday. You wait.

and Beterbiev is definitely at the end, with his constant injuries. BHop he is not and will not be. His body will just not put up with it. And given his mediocre English, he doesn’t really have any future earning potential with the sport (unless they pay nice money in Russia to former boxers to commentate on local fights I guess).

 

Khabib doesn't have great English either. Many UFC fighters don't. But they are promoted well so that's why they have the profiles they do.

Maybe that's why Dana White is now working with Turki...

That's a side point though; Beterbiev has a big name with certain demographics ; Muslims, Caucus region and Russians .

Bivol has a big name but on his own is a hard sell. Beterbiev would have it slightly easier due to his KO laden career.

That's just my opinion though