Artur Beterbiev has thrown down the gauntlet at Dmitry Bivol’s feet, asking on Instagram, “How old do I have to be so we can fight for the third time?” The 40-year-old knockout king, who unified all four light-heavy belts by edging Bivol last October before dropping a majority decision in February’s rematch, says Team Bivol keep shifting dates from August to “late autumn, then end-of-year, and now who knows.” Patience, Beterbiev suggests, is beginning to look like a stalling tactic.
After knee surgery in 2024 and two punishing 12-rounders in Riyadh, Beterbiev wants the rubber match signed while he still feels sharp. Bivol has other fires to put out: he vacated one belt to avoid a Benavidez mandatory and now faces orders to defend against Germany’s Michael Eifert - hardly the payday a trilogy would provide. With financier Turki Alalshikh green-lighting a switch from Saudi Arabia to the fighters’ native Russia, logistics should be simpler; negotiations, evidently, are not.
Watch Bivol vs. Beterbiev 2 highlights: Watch
From Beterbiev’s vantage-point, the courtesy clock is ticking. He granted Bivol a quick turnaround rematch despite medical advice; now, he argues, reciprocity is due. Bivol, six years younger and fresh off revenge, gains by stretching the calendar and letting mileage accumulate on Beterbiev’s explosive engine.
So, “how old is old enough?”. We hope to get an answer soon.
Image Credit: DAZN