Artur Beterbiev names his top target opponent for comeback fight

Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, 41, has not fought since losing all four belts to Dmitry Bivol via majority decision in their February 2025 rematch, four months after Beterbiev had claimed them from Bivol in October 2024. In an interview with Inside The Ring, Beterbiev stated his top priority is a trilogy fight with Bivol rather than a bout with three-division world champion David Benavidez. Beterbiev expressed frustration that Bivol, instead of agreeing to a third fight, returned from 15 months of inactivity to face IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert last month.