Last week, claims emerged that David Benavidez had avoided a fight with Artur Beterbiev, which was suggested as one of the reasons for the latter’s passivity.

However, the coach of the “Mexican Monster” rejected this suggestion, claiming that Beterbiev’s team was “lying” and calling for a fight.

Beterbiev, who has 20 knockouts in 22 fights, lost his undisputed featherlight heavyweight world title last February in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, but the Russian-Canadian has yet to fight since then as talks for a third fight with Bivol continue to drag on.

However, Beterbiev recently told the media that he had agreed to a fight with undefeated boogeyman Benavidez, which would take place in early 2026, but the team of the reigning WBC featherlight heavyweight ruler “changed their mind.”

“Benavidez is the kind of person who talks much more than he says. But it must be admitted that it is conducted very competently. He is already world champion in three weight categories, but his boxing is sullied and of course there are questions about some of his victories.

“He had a fight with Anthony Yard and after that fight I agreed to go out with him. Apparently his team didn’t expect me to agree so quickly, so they immediately changed their mind and chose [Zurdo] Ramirez.

“It was a year ago, it has become the norm in boxing – I will box, I won’t, I will choose my opponents – I like this one, I don’t like that one. I have a different mentality – it is foreign to me.”

Now the trainer of the newly crowned WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion, Benavidez, who prides himself on his willingness to fight any opponent, has responded, and his father/trainer Jose Benavidez Snr refuted the accusation in an interview with Boxing Scene and confirmed that they still wanted the fight with Beterbiev and that it could be done in “five minutes”.

“They lie. We want to fight him. Let’s make this fight happen. Tell us [Beterbiev] manager to contact me and we will arrange this fight within five minutes. Do you have his manager’s number? Let’s go.

“Nothing happened, but we still want to fight him. We are here to fight anyone. If Beterbiev is ready, let’s do it. Who wants to fight? Let’s see. I think everyone is talking about it.”

Benavidez is currently linked to a fight with fellow cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, who has been informed that he must face Benavidez to avoid being stripped of his WBC world title.

Moses Itaum’s recent opponent, Dillian Whyte, weighed in on the rising star’s chances against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

After 14 professional fights, Itauma has yet to fight longer than 18 minutes, going the distance in two six-round fights and stopping all of his remaining opponents within five rounds, including challengers Whyte and Jermaine Franklin Jr.

While the 21-year-old faced two world heavyweight title challengers, Mariusz Wach and Whyte, the Kent talent did not share the ring with a fighter who has won world accolades. As for the prospect of fighting Wilder, he said he would like to have the “legend”‘s name on his record.

I’m talking to iFL TelevisionWhyte, who Itauma was dispatched within two minutes last Augustpredicted that Itauma would win if given the “Bronze Bomber” assignment, but warned that fighting the hard-hitting American would still be risky

“Yes, [Itauma beats Wilder]but Wilder is a risky fight because Wilder just has this crazy equalizer that he throws.”

While many would love to see this clash, it doesn’t seem high on the British team’s list at the moment. Itauma will return in August, and the main opponent will be Filip Hrgovic.

If he passes this stern test, he is currently the mandatory challenger for the WBO title, meaning he is first in line to the winner of the rematch between champion Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley. He is also well-positioned to fight for the WBA Regular belt against the winner of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka or face IBF top contender Frank Sanchez.

As for Wilder, after the American scored points in April, a rematch with Derek Chisora ​​was discussed.

“Rolly, I’d love to keep doing it. Let’s do it. If not, give up the title, do what you have to, but we just want to keep fighting, stay busy and fight all the top guys and have some good fights,” Catterall told Ring Magazine.

The comments come amid uncertainty about Romero’s next move. Reports recently indicated that the WBA champion is expected to return this summer, although the hard task of his first appearance since defeating Ryan Garcia in May 2025 is not expected.

Catterall’s frustration may stem from what happened to Giyasov before the two met in the ring. The WBA ordered Romero and Giyasov to negotiate an October 2025 title fight, but the fight never materialized. After months without securing a title shot, Giyasov moved on and faced Catterall on May 23 at the “Glory in Giza” event at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.

Catterall scored a 12-round unanimous decision victory in that fight, improving his position in the WBA rankings and putting himself in line for a shot at Romero’s title.

Following the victory, the WBA ordered Romero and Catterall to begin negotiations for a championship fight. Catterall, however, has made it clear he has no intention of spending months on the sidelines waiting for the situation to resolve itself.

The 32-year-old had already revealed that he left the WBO route because he did not want to wait for the mandatory title fight, and he repeatedly emphasized his desire to remain busy against the top fighters of this division.

Catterall’s message to Rolly is clear: defend the title against the mandatory challenger or step aside and let the division move forward.