Artur Beterbiev makes stunning U-turn on Canelo Alvarez fight days before Dmitry Bivol clash
Artur Beterbiev is no longer interested in fighting Canelo Alvarez.
The Russian puncher was the WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion when Canelo snatched the WBO belt away from Sergey Kovalev with a dramatic last-gasp knockout in 2019.
Naturally, Beterbiev wanted to box the Mexican superstar when he held one of the pieces of the undisputed puzzle.
However, now he has moved back down to super middleweight and vacated his 175lbs strap, Beterbiev is less keen on the idea.
“I’m not really interested in him, because when he was the champion in my category, yes, I wanted to fight him,” Beterbiev told Boxing News.
“But now he doesn’t have anything in my category.”
Canelo returned to light heavyweight in May 2022 to challenge Beterbiev’s upcoming opponent Dmitry Bivol, only to lose convincingly on points.
He hasn’t returned to the weight class since, although there are reports suggesting a rematch with Bivol at 175lbs is an option for Canelo’s four-fight Riyadh Season deal.
Beterbiev edged past Bivol on points in their inaugural encounter in October for the undisputed crown.
They are now set to run it back on February 22 on a stacked undercard that includes an IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker as chief support.
If Bivol is able to exact his revenge over Beterbiev then there will most likely be a rubber match.
But if Beterbiev can repeat his heroics then David Benavidez is being lined up as his next opponent.
Benavidez is the WBC mandatory at light heavyweight and has been invited to watch the fight from ringside by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
The Mexican-American spent a prolonged stretch as Canelo’s WBC No.1 contender.
But after growing tired of waiting for his opportunity he moved up in weight to overcome Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June for the WBC interim title.
He then further cemented his place as next in line for a shot at the green and gold strap by defeating fast-rising contender David Morrell earlier this month.
Asked about the possibility of fighting Benavidez, Beterbiev replied: “Of course – if he wants the fight.
“If he’s mandatory, we’ll need to fight.”
