Former undisputed light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev gave his verdict on whether he’d be interested in a fight with David Benavidez down the line.
After Benavidez’s last win over Gilberto Ramirez, his father claimed he wanted to make a fight with Beterbiev.
The 41-year-old hasn’t fought in over 16 months and will be looking to return to the ring sooner rather than later.
He recently appeared on Inside The Ring and was asked to give his thoughts on a potential fight with the ‘Mexican Monster’.
“I would never avoid fights like Benavidez or different fights.
“They offered me the fight after my last fight with Nicholson, and there were a couple of different options after that fight.
“I agreed to Bivol or Benavidez. I don’t care who was in front of me.”
He last faced Dmitry Bivol in a rematch after winning their first fight in October 2024.
He was on the wrong side of a majority decision in February, with Bivol avenging his initial defeat.
Beterbiev has made his wish for a trilogy with Bivol very public and continued to do so in the interview, claiming his primary focus is on avenging the only defeat of his career.
“I really want the rubber match, everyone wants this fight.
“If you want to check if I’m still good or not, make the fight and I will show you.”
Despite gunning for Bivol next, he did give his thoughts on Benavidez’s career as it stands.
Beterbiev recently claimed the 29-year-old was a “dirty fighter” and also addressed that claim.
“I respect what Benavidez has done in boxing. He has become a world champion; I am not avoiding these kinds of fights.
“He talks a lot. I have known Benavidez since he was asking Canelo to fight him for the first time.
“I said he was dirty because in his last fight, when the referee stopped the fight with ‘Zurdo’, he hit him with an elbow, but they did nothing.”
The 41-year-old reiterated that his extended spell out of the ring was not his fault and gave a final outline of who he would like to face next.
“None of this is because of me. Boxing is my job; I earn money from boxing.
“First Bivol and then Benavidez.”
