It would set up a blockbuster showdown, with Moscow potentially serving as the venue for the third fight between Russian stars Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
Global governing body IBA’s president Umar Kremlev said they are prepared to host the highly anticipated fight.
In October 2024, Beterbiev handed Bivol the first loss of his career when he won a majority decision at 41.
The victory in Riyadh also made Beterbiev the first four-belt holder at 175lb.
But Bivol proved his worth in April, also at this venue, in the rematch – winning by majority-decision – setting up a tantalising third bout between two very talented boxers.
The 35-year-old also infamously became the first fighter to survive a Beterbiev onslaught in back-to-back performances.
The rivalry with Russia, a barometer in the current landscape of professional boxers, could gain a fresh chapter in its place of preference for hosting of such event — Moscow.
The two fighters’ respective teams could hold initial talks later in 2023, Kremlev said.
“IBA is open to the organisation of the trilogy of Bivol-Beterbiev fights. The high profile rivalry between the two is a truly global sporting historical event and they are two of the greatest boxers in the world.” Kremlev said.
‘Both fighters are likely to undertake one interim bout before locking horns again though. After that, by the end of this year, firm planning and organisation of the third fight should be possible moving forward in to 2022.”
With geopolitical tensions now widespread, Kremlev said the organizers would rather bring the fight to Moscow.
“First and foremost, we need to be able to stage this trilogy on the territory of Russia. “I think it is absolutely possible to hold such a fight now,” Kremlev said.
“In the existing global realities, Moscow is an appropriate and safe location for a competition of this magnitude with all infrastructure to hold it at the highest level.”