Bivol has been on the sidelines since undergoing back surgery last August, which prevented him from facing Beterbiev in a third match after their tight two-fight series.
“We don’t believe that offer was real at all, and of course we also have a contract with Riyadh Season,” Hearn said Fight Hub TV when asked about allegations that Bivol turned down a trilogy offer in Russia.
Hearn added that Bivol’s physical condition would have made a fight in Russia during his recovery period unrealistic.
Beterbiev and Benavidez fights back
“Right now we have commitments, and Bivol is out of the ring for a year,” Hearn said. “So it’s very likely he’ll come back and fight one of his commitments before he fights Benavidez, or especially a third fight with Beterbiev. I expect to see Bivol back in the spring.”
Returning from a long layoff straight 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 rebuilding defense before moving on to one of the division’s marquee bouts.
“I think he’ll come back, after being out a year, and fight one of his commitments,” Hearn said. “Then, a few months after that, he’ll fight Beterbiev or Benavidez.
