Artur Beterbiev has admitted to avoiding a showdown with one unbeaten world champion in particular.
The 40-year-old from Russia has had a stellar professional career to date, which has culminated in him capturing the undisputed light-heavyweight championship in his first encounter with Dmitry Bivol last October.
Bivol got his revenge in their rematch earlier this year, setting up what is set to be a monumental trilogy showdown between the pound-for-pound stars which has been pencilled in to take place before the end of 2025.
Aside from his rivalry with countryman Bivol, Beterbiev has reportedly been considering going down another route in the near future with rumours circulating that the 40-year-old is weighing up a potential showdown with Ukrainian heavyweight superstar Oleksandr Usyk, who currently reigns as the WBC, WBA and WBO champion.
In an interview with Sky Sports Boxing, after Usyk beat Tyson Fury for a second time, he had declared as interest in stepping back down to cruiserweight at some point.
“I try cruiserweight again. I try [to be undisputed cruiserweight again].”
Beterbiev, who faced Usyk in the amateurs, was originally keen for a rematch with the Ukrainian in the professional ranks.
“From a pure sporting perspective I would be interested in this fight, of course, because we boxed in the Olympics and the World Championships as amateurs.
It would be interesting to try as professionals, not for money, although money would be nice, but my interest in this fight would be purely sporting, much more than monetary. Much more.”
However, It seems as though Beterbiev has had a change in heart regarding this situation, as he reveals in an interview with Fight Hub TV that the Ukrainian icon would be ‘too strong’ and ‘too good’ for him.
“No, he’s too strong for me you know. He’s like heavyweight you know it’s too strong even if he came back down. He’s too strong [even at cruiserweight], too good.”
An official announcement for Beterbiev’s highly anticipated third encounter with Bivol is expected to be made in the coming weeks, with both fighters reportedly back in training camp.
As for Usyk, the 38-year-old is due to face Britain’s Daniel Dubois for the second time on July 19, as he bids to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time.
