Bivol and Beterbiev fought to a pair of hotly contested majority decisions in October 2024 and February 2025. Beterbiev won the first to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion, and Bivol won the rematch to take back the title as they headlined events in Saudi Arabia financed by Turki Alalshikh.

But over the last 17 months, a sequence of events on Bivol’s side has frozen Beterbiev out of a third fight.

After the sequel concluded, the International Boxing Association stepped in as a highly interested player to secure a trilogy. The IBA made lucrative offers to stage a fight in Moscow between the Russians, but with no success.

"I'm very disappointed," IBA president Umar Kremlev told The Ring. "Everyone is waiting for this fight. I don't know why Bivol and his team are not accepting the offer, but I will do my best to make this fight happen. We've been having discussions with both teams for quite a while. I can confirm that Beterbiev and his team are ready for the fight.

"The offer we made to Bivol for the third fight was considerably bigger than the first two fights. Specifically, Bivol was given two times a bigger offer than in previous fights. Beterbiev will fight for free just to make this fight happen."

After Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) beat Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs), he vacated his WBC title in April 2025 instead of moving forward with mandatory challenger David Benavidez. In July, Beterbiev blasted Bivol for his lack of urgency and later revealed his rival outright rejected the fight.

Bivol, meanwhile, underwent back surgery in August and returned in May to face IBF mandatory Michael Eifert in what essentially amounted to a tune-up fight and won by unanimous decision.

Earlier this week, Bivol, The Ring, IBF, WBA, and WBO champion, was ordered by the latter to face mandatory challenger and interim champion Callum Smith. Both sides have until July 26 to agree to a deal.

Kremlev believes Bivol, 35, will be moving forward with a fight against Smith and Beterbiev, 41, will be taking another fight in the meantime. But Kremlev still plans on pressing the issue and revisiting conversations whenever both sides are ready.

"To be honest, we've made really good offers in writing," Kremlev said. "But unfortunately, Bivol's team is still waiting for something. Bivol appears ready for the fight, but his team is thinking.

"As far as I can see, it looks like they are looking for other opportunities and options in the market. I believe firmly that we need to find common ground and we need to make this fight happen. The world is waiting. Beterbiev gave Bivol a rematch and Bivol should do the same. It's the only appropriate gesture.

"I can assure everyone that we are ready to organize the third fight at the highest level. We can stage the fight for 100,000 fans if it happens in Russia but are also open to bringing it wherever it needs to be. The most important thing is that the fight needs to happen. I'm confident it's going to be another great fight."

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan