ONCE it is all said and done, a trilogy between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol could be remembered as one of boxing’s most compelling rivalries.
The pair put their unblemished records on the line in an enthralling encounter for the undisputed light heavyweight crown last October, with Beterbiev, 21-0 (20 KOs), ultimately emerging victorious.
However, not only did Bivol, 23-1 (12 KOs), become the first man to take the ferocious puncher the distance, but many believed that he deserved to claim the tightly contested decision.
And yet, while the two pound-for-pound stars are now gearing up for an eagerly anticipated rematch on February 22, their story seemingly remains far from its conclusion.
Bivol, of course, will be flowing with confidence when they square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the second time, firmly believing that he has the 39-year-old’s number.
But before he is afforded the opportunity to plot future showdowns with the likes of David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez, the elite technician must first draw a line in the sand against Beterbiev.
And so, as far as the 34-year-old’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, is concerned, a trilogy is the only way their score can finally be settled.
“I’m sure that [Turki Alalshikh] will want a third fight if Bivol wins,” Kornilov told Boxing News.
“He will want to be as fair to Artur as he was to Dmitry, and give him the opportunity [to exact his revenge] as well. Nothing has been mentioned, but that’s just my opinion.
“[A fight with] Benavidez, and a Canelo rematch, are big opportunities that could occur [for Bivol] but, at this time, it’s all about [the Beterbiev rematch].
“It’s not a trilogy yet. Once it becomes a trilogy, this could become one of the biggest rivalries in the sport.”
The winners of Benavidez vs David Morrell and Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith will each have a strong claim to be next in line for the light heavyweight throne.
At the same time, though, the belts at 175 lbs could easily be held up for a short while longer, leaving the top contenders with an opportunity to face each other in the meantime.
