Presuming light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol successfully negotiates his May 30 defense against Michael Eifert, which was ordered by the IBF, then the IBA plan to move ahead with negotiations for a third bout against Artur Beterbiev.

Bivol and Beterbiev have history. Beterbiev won their first bout via majority decision following a terrific bout in October 2024. Bivol, however, would gain both revenge and ownership of all four light heavyweight sanctioning body belts in their February 2025 rematch.

A third bout was thought to be on the way. Turki Alalshikh, who financed the first two contests, declared it would happen but a back injury to Bivol, on which he had surgery last year, seemingly put negotiations on hold. Though numerous 'secondary' beltholders have since been awarded titles, Bivol still holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles. David Benavidez now wears the WBC strap.

Now the IBA’s president, Umar Kremlev, has made his intentions regarding a rubber match, which he hopes to stage in Moscow, clear.

“IBA stands ready to organise a trilogy fight between Bivol and Beterbiev,” Kremlev states as per a press release. “These are two of the finest boxers in the world, and their rivalry represents a truly global sporting historical event.

“However, both fighters are expected to complete one interim bout before facing each other again. Thereafter, by the end of the year, it should be possible to move forward with firm planning and organisation of the third fight.

“Our priority is to stage this trilogy in Russia. In my view, hosting such a bout is entirely feasible at present. Given the current global circumstances, Moscow represents a suitable and secure venue for an event of this scale, with all the necessary infrastructure in place to deliver it at the very highest level.”

The fight with Eifert is set for Yekateringburg in Russia.