LAUSANNE: The president of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, has said the organization is ready to stage a third bout between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
On Oct. 2024 Beterbiev won a majority excision after 12 rounds at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in October 2024, with Bivol coming out top, also after a majority decision, at the same venue in February 2025.
According to Kremlev, both fighters are widely regarded as the leading contenders in their weight division, with their rivalry having already achieved global recognition within modern professional boxing.
Both boxers will be expected to take part in an interim bout prior to a third meeting. They would then be in a position to proceed with detailed discussions regarding the timing and format of the trilogy fight. Preliminary talks could begin towards the end of the year.
Kremlev also identified Moscow as the preferred host city, saying it meets all the necessary criteria for staging an event of such magnitude.
“IBA stands ready to organize a trilogy fight between Bivol and Beterbiev,” he said. “These are two of the finest boxers in the world, and their rivalry represents a truly global sporting historical event. However, both fighters are expected to complete one interim bout before facing each other again. Thereafter, by the end of the year, it should be possible to move forward with firm planning and organization of the third fight.
“Our priority is to stage this trilogy in Russia,” Kremlin added. “In my view, hosting such a bout is entirely feasible at present. Given the current global circumstances, Moscow represents a suitable and secure venue for an event of this scale, with all the necessary infrastructure in place to deliver it at the very highest level.”
The IBA, established in 1946, is boxing’s world governing body. Its strategy is underpinned by an “athlete first” approach, with a clear mission to promote, support, develop and unite the historic sport.
