Overview

• Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) will meet American Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) on November 22 in Riyadh under the Benavidez–Yarde main event card.
• This matchup replaces the long-anticipated trilogy fight with Dmitry Bivol, which has been postponed after Bivol vacated the WBC light-heavyweight title.
• Nicholson has yet to face a former or current world champion, with his sole professional loss coming via third-round stoppage to Efetobor Apochi in 2021.
• The Riyadh event, orchestrated by matchmaker Turki Alalshikh, is leveraging marquee undercards to set up future title contenders in the light-heavyweight division.
• A win for Beterbiev could line him up for a showdown against the Benavidez–Yarde victor or a rescheduled rematch with Bivol in 2026.