Artur Beterbiev Targets David Benavidez at Cruiserweight After Bivol Trilogy Falls Apart
Beterbiev has been inactive for over 20 months and is now eyeing Benavidez at 200 pounds after the Bivol trilogy never materialized.
Artur Beterbiev is done waiting for Dmitry Bivol. Now he wants David Benavidez at cruiserweight.
Beterbiev, who turns 42 in January, has not fought since his February 2025 rematch with Bivol. That is over 20 months of inactivity for one of boxing's hardest punchers. Per Boxing News 24, a trilogy with Bivol never materialized because Bivol had back surgery and other obligations and showed no urgency to make it happen.
With the Bivol chapter closed, Beterbiev has shifted his focus to Benavidez. Reports indicate that Benavidez's camp contacted Beterbiev's team about meeting at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit. Benavidez discussed the interest on Inside The Ring earlier this month and sounded open to the matchup. Talks reportedly point toward a 2027 date.
Beterbiev has been active on social media, posting training clips and joking about his conditioning. "Hope nobody was scared off by my 45-year-old physique," he said in one post, despite being 41.
Boxing News 24 argues that Beterbiev's camp waited too long on Bivol and that the inactivity has cost him valuable time. If a Benavidez fight is not locked in for the first quarter of 2027, the outlet suggests Beterbiev needs a stay-busy bout by late spring, preferably against a mid-tier cruiserweight, to shake off the ring rust before pursuing a superfight.
This is the fight that makes sense for both guys right now, and I hope they actually make it happen instead of talking about it for two years.
Beterbiev at 200 pounds is still a terrifying proposition. The man has never been to a decision in his entire professional career. Every fight ends with somebody on the canvas. But 20 months out of the ring at 41 is no joke. Father Time does not care about your knockout percentage. He needs to fight soon, whether it is Benavidez or a tune-up.
Benavidez moving up to cruiserweight makes sense on paper. He is a big super middleweight who could carry the weight. And with Benavidez launching his own promotional company this month, controlling a narrative where he challenges a legend at 200 pounds is smart business.
The timing lines up for 2027 if both sides stop playing phone tag. But if Beterbiev sits out another six months waiting for the perfect deal, the window closes. At his age, every month matters.
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