FOLLOWING two iconic encounters, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev’s trilogy is reportedly set to culminate in Russia, where a new party has seemingly joined the negotiating table.
Boxing paymaster Turki Alalshikh previously declared that their third light-heavyweight clash, which should have three of the four major titles up for grabs, would take place later this year.
But Ring Magazine, the publication owned by Alalshikh, has now reported that, rather than taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this November – as initially planned – their rubber match instead looks likely to be staged in Russia.
A new date, meanwhile, is yet to become clear, though it would seem that both fighters have secured Alalshikh’s consent for their expected showdown to go ahead.
And while the different organisers – as referred to by Ring Magazine – are yet to emerge, either, it nonetheless appears that the International Boxing Association (IBA) is a likely candidate to take the helm.
Earlier this year, IBA president Umar Kremlev expressed his interest in seeing Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), and Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs), square off in Russia, with the power broker even highlighting a possible venue.
Having reportedly met with Sverdlovsk Region governor Evgeny Kuyvashev, too, it seems that Kremlev has already put the wheels in motion to secure a more specific location.
Either way, Bivol and Beterbiev – two Russian natives – could soon have the chance to settle their score, which currently reads 1-1.
Beterbiev claimed his undisputed crown at 175lbs with a majority decision victory last October, only for Bivol to exact his revenge by an identical margin in their immediate rematch, which arguably delivered an even more compelling battle in February.
