Artur Beterbiev will return to the ring in November, but not against Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev and Bivol are tied at one apiece after two thrilling battles and were expected to fight for a third time later this year.
However, it was confirmed on Wednesday by the Ring Magazine that Beterbiev would return against Deon Nicholson on the undercard of the WBC light heavyweight title showdown between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde in Riyadh on November 22.
Nicholson has won 22 of his 23 professional bouts, with 18 victories coming inside the distance.
The Alabama man has won eight on the bounce since a sole reverse to Efetobor Apochi, a third round loss in April 2021.
The announcement was greeted with some backlash, with some fans claiming that Bivol has avoided a third bout with his Russian rival.
One fan posted on X: “Bivol aging out Beterbiev for the trilogy is ridiculous.”
Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will begin his road to redemption on November 22 as part of The Ring IV ‘Night of The Champions’ in Riyadh. Beterbiev will collide with another dangerous puncher in Deon Nicholson, who has 18 knockouts in his 22 wins. pic.twitter.com/mQKJNovt99
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) August 6, 2025
Another wrote: “Why is he not fighting Bivol? This is nonsense.”
Another fan said: “Excited to see Beterbiev back in the ring, but massively disappointed that it isn’t vs Bivol.
“Dmitry let the boxing world down. Artur and fight fans deserved the trilogy next. Attempting to age his countryman out is disgraceful.”
Beterbiev won their first meeting last October by majority decision to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion, but Bivol secured revenge in February via the same method to win all four belts.
The 34-year-old vacated his WBC title in April after the governing body ordered him to defend their belt against Benavidez, who was then elevated from interim titlist to full champion and Bivol was expected to pursue a trilogy with Beterbiev.
Beterbiev’s addition to the card enhances an already stacked bill which features four world title fights.
Brian Norman Jr defends his WBO welterweight crown against Devin Haney, Jesse Bam Rodriguez faces Puma Martinez in a unification for the WBC and WBO super flyweight titles, whilst Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes contest the vacant WBO lightweight belt.
proboxing-fans.com has reached out to Bivol’s team for comment on his next move.
