Turki Alalshikh says he’s lost interest in making a bid to stage a fight between undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and his unbeaten WBC mandatory David Benavidez. He doesn’t say why he’s lost interest in the Bivol-Benavidez fight.
If Turki’s motto is ‘The best vs. the best,’ he should be in favor of Bivol fighting WBC mandatory Benavidez next because he’s earned the fight with his impressive win over David Morrell on February 1st. ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez is kryptonite for Bivol and Beterbiev.
Title Stripping?
Bivol may need to vacate his WBC title if the sanctioning body pushes, and it appears they will. That might not bother Turki if his goal is to focus on just the Ring titles for his fights in the boxing league he’s creating with Dana White.
If Alalshikh wants only to use his titles, it won’t matter if Bivol is stripped of his WBC belt. Of course, it might matter to him if he won’t be in Turki’s league because he would be losing his belts. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promotes Bivol.
It’s the one that fans want now, as they’re tired of seeing Bivol and Artur Beterbiev fight after watching them battle two times. Fans have already seen the routine between them. Bivol hits and runs, and the slow-footed Beterbiev chases him when he’s not tired. Both fights were boring.
Trilogy Hinted?
Alalshikh says Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) shouldn’t ” be late, which is code for he needs to fight the person Turki wants him to next, not Benavidez. It’s believed that he wants Bivol to face former undisputed 175-lb champion Artur Beterbiev in a trilogy. Dmitry beat him by a 12-round majority decision in their rematch last month on February 22nd in Riyadh.
People have seen Bivol and Beterbiev fight enough to last them a lifetime. They want some new blood to challenge Bivol for his titles, not a pointless third fight between them.
Last week, the WBC ordered Bivol and ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) to begin negotiations. They were given until April 8th to put together a deal before a purse bid was ordered.
“Be on Time”
“I am no longer interested in Bivol-Benavidez and I will not bid on it. I think Bivol knows who has delivered for him and who hasn’t,” said Turki Alalshikh to Ring Magazine, revealing that he’s not interested in undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol defending against his WBC-ordered fight against mandatory David Benavidez.
“My advice to Bivol: Don’t be late because every day something changes.”
Last Updated on 03/07/2025
2025-03-07 20:43:37
