During a recent interview with Match TV, Beterbiev claimed that he agreed to fight David Benavidez after the WBC light heavyweight champion’s fight against Anthony Yarde last November. Beterbiev also said that Benavidez’s team wasn’t interested and “quickly changed their mind and chose [Zurdo] Ramirez,” as an opponent.

However, shortly after those claims were made, Benavidez Sr. told The Ring that those comments simply weren’t true.

“We went to Artur Beterbiev and his team before the Anthony Yarde fight but they weren’t interested in the fight,” Benavidez Sr. told The Ring. “We have no problem fighting Beterbiev next.

“There’s no need for trash talk. Let’s make the fight happen. We respect Beterbiev. He’s a great fighter but our preference is Bivol. He beat Canelo Alvarez. He beat Zurdo Ramirez and beating him would give David a chance to become undisputed but Beterbiev is the more dangerous fighter. We would love to fight him next. We can make it happen whenever they want.”

Benavidez destroyed Yarde, stopping him in seven rounds. Immediately after, the 29-year-old moved up to the cruiserweight division and made it look easy against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, stopping him in the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles in May.

Beterbiev, on the other hand, has been inactive. Since losing his undisputed throne to Dmitry Bivol in February 2025, the Russian has remained on the sidelines. Ultimately, the goal for him is to eventually land a third fight against his old foe, as the pair remain tied at one apiece.

If that fight doesn’t happen, Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) is more than willing to face Benavidez next.

Nevertheless, for The Ring’s No. 5 ranked pound-for-pound fighter, he has something in common with Beterbiev as he also wants to get his hands on Bivol.

Benavidez owns the WBC light heavyweight title, while Bivol, who recently ended a 15-month layoff by outpointing Michael Eifert, holds The Ring, IBF, WBA, and WBO straps.