Beterbiev in Negotiations With IBA Pro, Eyes Bivol Bout In Russia
- Matthew Brown
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
11/07/2025
Newly minted free agent Artur Beterbiev, the former undisputed light heavyweight champion, is in negotiations with IBA Pro Boxing, according to IBA Pro President Al Siesta.
Beterbiev recently announced his free agency, officially ending his six-year relationship with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing. The Russian powerhouse joined Top Rank in 2019 following his departure from longtime promoter Yvon Michel, a move facilitated by former advisor Al Haymon. Under the Top Rank banner, Beterbiev rose to the pinnacle of the sport, unifying all four major light heavyweight world titles and becoming the undisputed champion last October, when he scored a majority decision victory over rival Dmitry Bivol.
However, Beterbiev’s reign ended in February, when Bivol evened the score in their rematch to reclaim the undisputed championship.
In a statement shared on his personal social media accounts, Beterbiev addressed his status as a promotional free agent and reflected on his time with Top Rank:
“Hi everyone. I got a lot of questions about my promotional status. From June 2025 I’m a free agent. My contract with Top Rank expired. I’m grateful for all these years with Top Rank and want to thank them for the opportunities they gave me. I want everyone who follows and supports me to know that I believe — the best fights are ahead.”
Originally, Beterbiev was scheduled to return to the ring on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Deon Nicholson, but abruptly withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons.
Sources tell Brunch Boxing that Beterbiev’s withdrawal came shortly after learning that Dmitry Bivol had been medically cleared to resume fighting. The 40-year-old former champion is now targeting an immediate trilogy bout with Bivol to settle their rivalry once and for all. According to sources, IBA Pro Boxing is actively working to stage that fight in Russia during the first half of 2026.
Beterbiev has been vocal about his desire for a third meeting with Bivol, expressing growing frustration with what he perceives as Bivol’s hesitance to move forward with the bout. In a candid social media post from July, Beterbiev shared his side of the situation:
“I received hundreds of questions about the third fight, that’s why I decided to answer here. As you know, the first fight for the undisputed champion title took place in October last year. After five years of attempts to unify the belts, it was still successful. The day after the first fight, we agreed on a rematch, which was to take place within four months, despite the fact that I was after the operation, and my coach and doctor were categorically against such an early rematch.
After the second fight, I immediately showed interest in an early third fight, and at first there were rumors about the fight in August, but my opponent said in an interview that he wanted to hold it in late autumn, then at the end of the year, and now — it is completely unknown when.
Dima, how old do I have to be so that we can fight for the third time?”
With IBA Pro Boxing now involved, there is renewed optimism that the long-awaited Beterbiev–Bivol trilogy can finally come to fruition.
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