Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev says a fight with David Benavidez was available after his victory over Anthony Yarde, but claims Benavidez’s team quickly moved in a different direction once he agreed to the matchup.
Beterbiev was asked about Benavidez and whether a fight between them ever came close to happening. The former undisputed champion responded by questioning Benavidez’s reputation and claiming he had already accepted an offer to face him.
“Benavidez is the kind of guy that talks a lot more than he does. His boxing is dirty, and some of his victories are certainly questionable,” Beterbiev said to the Russian outlet Match TV.
“I agreed to fight him [following his fight with Anthony Yarde]. His team apparently didn’t expect me to agree so quickly, so they immediately changed their mind and chose [Zurdo] Ramirez.”
Benavidez eventually moved up to cruiserweight and challenged Gilberto Ramirez earlier this year, capturing the WBA and WBO titles with a stoppage victory. The win strengthened his position as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters and fueled discussion about future fights against Dmitry Bivol, Jai Opetaia, and even Oleksandr Usyk.
Beterbiev’s comments add another chapter to a rivalry that never reached the ring. A fight between the two had long been discussed by fans when both men were competing at light heavyweight, but negotiations never advanced to an official announcement.
The Russian veteran has not fought since losing his undisputed championship to Bivol, while Benavidez has continued to pursue major fights across multiple weight classes.
Whether the matchup can still happen remains unclear, but Beterbiev’s version of events suggests he believes the opportunity was there and that it was Benavidez’s side that chose a different route.
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Last Updated on 2026/06/04 at 2:41 PM
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