Eddie Hearn: Bivol Won’t Return in a Beterbiev Trilogy

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed this week that when Dmitry Bivol returns to the ring in early 2026, it will not be for an immediate trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev.

Trilogy Not Part of Immediate Return Plan

Hearn said the unified light heavyweight champion is expected to take care of his mandatory obligations first after being out of the ring for more than a year. The plan, according to Hearn, is for Bivol to make one defense before moving into either a trilogy with Beterbiev or a fight with WBC champion David Benavidez.

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

“We don’t believe that offer was real at all, and obviously, also, we have a contract with Riyadh Season,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV when asked about claims that Bivol had 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.

Beterbiev and Benavidez Fights Pushed Back

“Right now, we have mandatories, and Bivol has been out of the ring for a year coming up,” Hearn said. “So it’s very likely he’ll come back and fight one of his mandatories before fighting Benavidez or, particularly, a third fight with Beterbiev. I expect to see Bivol back in the spring.”

Returning from a lengthy layoff directly into a trilogy bout or a title fight against Benavidez is not expected to be the preferred route, with Hearn indicating that Bivol will first need a tune-up defense before moving into one of the division’s marquee matchups.

“I think he’ll come back, having been out for a year, and fight one of his mandatories,” Hearn said. “Then, a few months after that, he’ll fight Beterbiev or Benavidez.”