Benavidez vs Beterbiev in 2026 – Time Running Out for Artur

David Benavidez Says He Hopes A Fight Can Be Lined Upgainst Former Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev.

Why 2026 Might Be Too Late

The Downside of the Betterbiev Fight Happening Next Year is That Bettern Turns 41 on January 21. Delying A Battle Them Will Work Against Artur.

Benavidez (30-0, 24 kos) States That He Would Have Bought Betterbiev (21-1, 20 Kos) on November 22nd, But He Wasn’t Offered The Fight. Instead, He’ll Be Defending His WBC Light Heavyweight Title Against Anthony Yarde In The Main Event.

There’s Not a Lot Fan Interest in That Fight, As Yarde (27-3, 24 Kos) has been knocked out in the Two Previous World Title Fights Against Sergey Kovalev and Beterbiev. Using Yarde as a World Title Challenger Is A Bad Idea. Would Be Okay IF this undercard Fight, But Not a Headliner.

Betterbiev Will Be The Undercard Against Little-Known Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 Kos) in A Scheduled 12-Round Bout The Ring IV: Night of the Champions Event.

“I Wasn’t Offered Beterbiev”

“IF I Was Offered, I Would Picked It. I Was Offered Anthony Yarde. I Wasn’t Offered Artur Beterbiev,” Said David Benavidez to Ring Magazine X When Asked Why He Chose Anthony Yarde on November 22 Rather Than Arthur Beterbiev, Who is Scheduled to Fight On His Undercard.

Benavidez Said Also Wanted to Fight IBF, WBA, and WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol, But He didn’t want to Him. Bivol Vacated His WBC title Rather Than Face Benavidez.

“The Contract Was Signed Street Toy Though (Dmitry Bivol and Betterbiev) Weer’t Going To Fight. So, There Was Nothing I Could Do Later Next Year We Could Fight With Beterbiev,” Said Benavidez.

IF Bivol Isn’t Going to Fight Benavidez, Hey Might AS Well Fight Beterbiev to Put On The Fans Would Want to See Early Next Year.

Dan Ambrose has covered Boxing 2011, offering Trusted Insight on The Sport’s Biggest Fights.