Earn says Bivol Return won’t be a Beterbiev trilogy

Bivol has been sidelined since undergoing back surgery last August, which prevented him from facing Beterbiev in a third fight following their closely contested two-fight series.

“We don’t think that offer was real at all and obviously we also have a contract with Riyadh Season,” Hearn said. Fight Hub TV when asked about claims that Bivol turned down a trilogy offer in Russia.

Hearn added that Bivol’s physical condition would have made a fight in Russia unrealistic during his recovery period.

Fights between Beterbiev and Benavidez postponed

“Right now we have obligations, and Bivol has been out of the ring for a year,” Hearn said. “So it’s very likely that he comes back and fights one of his proxies before fighting Benavidez or, more importantly, a third fight with Beterbiev. I hope to see Bivol again in the spring.”

Coming back from a long hiatus straight into a trilogy fight or title fight against Benavidez should not be the preferred route, with Hearn indicating that Bivol will first need a tune-up defense before heading into one of the division’s marquee matchups.

“I think he will come back after a year away and fight one of his terms,” Hearn said. “Then, a few months later, he’ll fight Beterbiev or Benavidez.”