David Benavidez explains why Artur Beterbiev wasn't scheduled for The Ring IV

A fight boxing fans have been wanting to see for a long time is David Benavidez vs. Artur Beterbiev. Two hard-hitting sluggers throwing haymakers is what fans had been clamoring for. 

People were wondering when Saturday's The Ring IV: Night of the Champions from ANB Arena in Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN PPV, was announced that Benavidez and Beterbiev were both on the bill, but not against each other. Benavidez puts the WBC light heavyweight title on the line against Anthony Yarde in the main event. Beterbiev had been set for the undercard with Deon Nicholoson. But Beterbiev bowed out of the fight for undisclosed reasons. 

Why wasn't the mega fight made?

"We’re number one in line to fight Bivol as we were first," Benavidez told DAZN. "It was before I got the title at 175. I was the number one contender. They stripped him because he wasn’t willing to fight me. But if I would (have) got offered that, I definitely would have picked it. I was offered Anthony Yarde. I wasn’t offered Artur Beterbiev." 

It's unknown when Beterbiev will return, and if Benavidez gets past Yarde, it's also unclear what'll be next for "The Monster". Benavidez is open to the idea of finally getting Beterbiev inside the ring to determine who is the hardest puncher in boxing.

"Hopefully, later next year, we could get that fight with Beterbiev," Benavidez said.

Watch Benavidez vs. Yarde live only on DAZN

David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde headlines a star-studded Ring IV fight card in Riyadh on Saturday, November 22. Watch it exclusively on DAZN PPV.

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