David Benavidez hated the days when no one wanted to fight him. Now, if everything breaks right, he'll take on a man who was just as avoided.
"Right now, I'm in a position where my opportunity is in the form of a freaking Russian monster," Benavidez told FightHype.com recently. "I can't say no if they offer me the fight. If they offer me
Artur Beterbiev then that’s what I'm gonna do."
A matchup with Beterbiev isn’t exactly on the table, but there’s a possibility it could happen.
Both will feature in separate bouts on the
Ring IV card come November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Originally under the impression he would be facing
Dmitry Bivol in a trilogy after the two pound-for-pound stars split their two fights, former undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs)
will instead take on Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs).
Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs)
announced he underwent back surgery for a longstanding issue that was recently hindering him during training and as such, the now-unified titleholder will be sidelined for the remainder of 2025. Beterbiev could still contest a rubber match with his compatriot, provided he's successful against Nicholson, though Benavidez is also an option.
The 28-year-old was elevated to full WBC champion after Bivol opted to relinquish the belt, a day before purse bids between the pair was taking place. He'll make the first defence of that belt on
his Riyadh Season debut against two-time title challenger
Anthony Yarde.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) has already made it clear that if Beterbiev wants it, the Russian can be next in line. That statement is actually true for anyone eager to fight him.
"I know I'll get these big opportunities after this fight," Benavidez continued. "A lot of big opportunities are coming."