Boxing News: HE Turki Alalshikh Open To Making The “More Practical” Fight For David Benavidez Than Canelo Alvarez

His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, is the one who’s calling the shots after all. The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia has now found an alternative fight for David Benavidez that seems more feasible than getting him a fight with Canelo Alvarez.

Earlier, the undisputed super middleweight champion noted to an interviewer that he would charge a staggering $150-200 million to fight Benavidez. The revelation came in light of calls intensifying for a fight between the two leading names in the super middleweight class. While Canelo is one of the highest-paid boxers of his era, the number seemed too steep for many. Will Canelo vs. Benavidez ever happen. HE Turki Alalshikh has a more appropriate proposition for David Benavidez.

David Benavidez vs. Whom?

According to a report, the advisor to the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia envisions a fight between Benavidez and the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. As per the report, HE Turki Alalshikh considers this route for a showdown much “more practical” than a fight between the Las Vegas resident and Alvarez.

IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev is scheduled to fight WBA titlist, Dmitry Bivol on June 1st at a heavily stacked card in Riyadh. The historic fight will see one among them emerge undisputed in the light heavyweight division. However, a rematch clause in their contract allows ample possibility for a second fight between the two undefeated champions.

Despite the rematch clause, HE Turki Alalshikh is open to having a fight between ‘The Mexican Monster’ and the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol. While the 27-year-old is a staple of the super middleweight class, he will have to climb up the weight for the ambitious undertaking, something that David Benavidez is already doing for his next match, which will be in the light heavyweight class.

However, all of it depends on how Benavidez’s next match goes.

The ‘Oleksandr Gvozdyk’ Eliminator

David Benavidez will still have to win his 175-pound title eliminator against his upcoming Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Gvozdyk. That fight might not be an easy undertaking for the fighter. The 36-year-old ‘Nail’ is a former WBC titlist who is known for his hard-landing punches. The fight is seen as a total neck-and-neck contest given that Gvozdyk is considered the only possible fighter of the weight class that gives Beterbiev a befitting run for his money.

Assuming that Benavidez does clear the impediment, his fight against either Beterbiev or Bivol will be interesting. This won’t be the first time he will face Bivol. However, while his last face-off with Bivol was a sparring session between the two fighters, it was still many years ago. It will be interesting to see what happens if they face off now. And not to forget, this is only possible if Bivol manages to defeat Artur Beterbiev and that is a big “if”.

Once these two fights take their course, there will still be a glimmer of hope for Benavidez to fight Canelo Alvarez. Which fight is exciting for you among these? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also Read: Moving up to 175 Might Not Be the Best Move for David Benavidez