The trilogy fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev was scheduled for a Riyadh Season event in November, but both Russian light heavyweights preferred to stage the fight in their home country with different organizers, it was revealed on Friday.

Turki Alalshikh approved the move after financing the first two fights, a majority decision win by Beterbiev on October 12 and a unanimous decision victory by Bivol on February 22. Now there is uncertainty as to when the rubber match will be scheduled.

The development is a frustrating one for Beterbiev, who will turn 41 in January.

“I received hundreds of questions about the third fight, that’s why I decided to answer here,” Beterbiev wrote in an Instagram post Saturday. “As you know, the first fight for the absolute champion title took place in October last year. After five years of attempts to unify the belts, it was still successful. The day after the first fight, we agreed on a rematch, which was to take place within four months, despite the fact that I was after the operation, and my coach and doctor were categorically against such an early rematch.

"After the second fight, I immediately showed interest in an early third fight, and at first there were rumors about the fight in August, but my opponent said in an interview that he wanted to hold it in late autumn, then – at the end of the year, and now – it is completely unknown when. … How old do I have to be so that we can fight for the third time?”

Earlier this week, the IBF ordered Bivol to face mandatory challenger and No. 1-ranked light heavyweight contender Michael Eifert.

Recent history shows Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs), The Ring, WBA, WBO, and IBF champion, won’t be tied to the IBF belt as bigger business beckons against Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs). The WBC ordered Bivol to face David Benavidez after the second Beterbiev fight, but Bivol dropped that belt in April and Benavidez was elevated from interim champion to full titleholder.

The 34-year-old Bivol is The Ring’s No. 4-ranked pound-for-pound boxer. Beterbiev is rated No. 5.