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Why Turki Alalshikh ‘no longer interested’ in Dmitry Bivol-David Benavidez

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Dmitry Bivol David Benavidez

Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez may end up fighting next, but it won’t be on a Riyadh Season card.

Ring Magazine, which is owned by Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh, reported Friday that Alalshkih was “no longer interested” in the fight that was ordered by the WBC on Wednesday between undisputed champion Bivol and WBC interim champion Benavidez, stating that he will not be participating in the purse bid for that fight.

“I am no longer interested in Bivol-Benavidez and I will not bid on it,” Alalshikh said in a story on Ring’s website. “I think Bivol knows who has delivered for him and who hasn’t. My advice to Bivol: don’t be late because every day something changes.”

Golpe a David Benavidez! Turki Al-Sheikh le cierra la puerta para retar a Bivol | MARCA México

READ: “It’s Not The Plan”: Canelo Has Sudden Change Of Mind Over Facing World Champion

The 34-year-old Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), has fought his last four fights in Riyadh, including his last two fights against Artur Beterbiev. Bivol avenged his majority decision loss to his Russian compatriot last month by the same verdict.

Afterwards, Alalshikh was seen raising three fingers, signaling that he intended to arrange a third fight between the two top 175-pounders.

Those plans were in contradiction with the WBC, which mandated Bivol to defend his belt against the 28-year-old Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs). Benavidez solidified his position as the interim champion last month when he dominated David Morrell to win a unanimous decision.

The WBC gave Bivol and Benavidez 30 days to negotiate, at which point a purse bid would be ordered on April 8. If Bivol decided to go in a different direction, the WBC would be within its rights to strip him of the belt and elevate Benavidez to full champion. That outcome would deprive Benavidez of the marquee matchup he has sought, however, having been denied in his attempts to lure Saul “Canelo” Alvarez into the ring for a fight at 168lbs.

Benavidez is represented by Sampson Lewkowicz and has built his career on Premier Boxing Champions cards, while Bivol is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said this week that he had a “gut feeling” that a third Bivol-Beterbiev fight would come next, projecting that they would fight again towards the end of 2025.

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“It’s Not The Plan”: Canelo Has Sudden Change Of Mind Over Facing World Champion

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Canelo Alvarez

Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez continues to be the biggest draw in the sport of boxing 66 fights into his campaign, though options for high-profile opponents are dwindling.

The Mexican superstar has recently signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season which will kick off on May 3 in Saudi Arabia with a unification bout against new IBF Champion William Scull, who picked up the belt when it was stripped from Canelo last year after failing to face him as a mandatory challenger.

Should he win, Canelo will then move ahead with a Las Vegas mega-fight against Terence Crawford in September. For his final two bouts in the deal, options remain up in the air.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez suffers shock defeat to Dmitry Bivol in WBA light-heavyweight title fight - TNT Sports

READ: Lamont Roach Jr. Alleges Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis Brought ‘Illegal Irritant’ Into Fight

The 34-year-old from Guadalajara struggles when asked what fights still add to his legacy, but recently made it clear that he wants to avenge his defeat – only the second of his long career – to undisputed light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

However, that appears to no longer be the case, as when asked by CBS Sports if he planned to stay in his current weight class Canelo said:

“Yeah, the plan is to stay in this weight class.”

Canelo has previously stated that a rematch with Bivol only interests him at light-heavyweight, even despite Bivol saying he would move down to fight for the Mexican’s belts.

That – paired with the fact that Bivol is more likely to consider a jump up to cruiser rather than down to super-middle – makes the fight unlikely to take place.

Another fight this decision takes off the table is the long-awaited clash with David Benavidez, who grew tired of chasing Canelo at 168, moved up to 175 and is now mandatory challenger for Bivol. Despite still wanting to face off with Alvarez, Benavidez says light-heavyweight is now the minimum weight for him and there will be no drop back down.

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BOXING

Dmitry Bivol ordered to box ‘Monster’ in blow to Artur Beterbiev trilogy

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Dmitry Bivol

The WBC has ordered Dmitry Bivol to box David Benavidez next, in a potential blow for fans wishing to see a trilogy fight against Artur Beterbiev.

Bivol lost a majority decision to Beterbiev in October, as the latter became undisputed light-heavyweight champion and handed Bivol his first pro defeat. However, Bivol reversed the result in February, taking all the belts from his fellow part-Russian and similarly dealing Beterbiev his first pro loss.

Many fans have expressed a desire to see Bivol vs Beterbiev 3 next, but Benavidez’s recent move to light-heavyweight seemed a potential complication in the title picture. And it could prove exactly that, with the WBC – per multiple reports – now ordering Bivol to fight the American, who holds the organisation’s interim title.

Dmitry Bivol (left) outpointed Artur Beterbiev with an inspired performance in February

READ: “Let’s Roll The Dice”: Anthony Joshua In Talks For Huge Summer Fight Against Unexpected Opponent

A negotiation period will run until 8 April, so it is still possible that Bivol, 34, will fight Beterbiev, 40, next. However, Benavidez is seemingly edging closer to a shot at an official light-heavyweight title.

The unbeaten 28-year-old made his name at super-middleweight and is open to returning to that division, where unified champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been accused of avoiding him. However, Benavidez would likely only drop back down for a bout with Canelo, who is due to box Terence Crawford in a somewhat contrived super-fight in September.

Fans have accused Canelo of ‘ducking’ David Benavidez (pictured)

In June 2024, Benavidez moved up to light-heavyweight and outpointed Oleksandr Gvozdyk to claim the WBC interim belt. Then, in February, he beat David Morrell Jr on points to retain the title.

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After Sharing The Ring With Both Dmitry Bivol Delivers Honest Verdict…..

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Dmtiry

After Sharing The Ring With Both Dmitry Bivol Delivers Honest Verdict On Canelo vs Benavidez

Dmitry Bivol is soon to get a shot at becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion. If he wins, David Benavidez is first in line to face him.

In his way is fearsome puncher Artur Beterbiev, the IBF, WBO and WBC champion who has a 100% knockout record having stopped all 20 of his opponents to date. He had to postpone the pair’s first fight date in June due to dental surgery and they are now set to meet on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the meantime, Benavidez has moved up from super middleweight to become WBC interim light-heavyweight champion. Despite the new division and the future shot against the Bivol-Beterbiev winner, he still wants unified super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez after years of chasing. It is, fans agree, one of the best match-ups in the sport.

Canelo is no stranger to the move up to 175 himself, having beaten Sergey Kovalev but fallen short against Bivol.

Bivol – who has shared tough sparring sessions with Benavidez in the past – was asked by FightHype what might happen should Canelo finally agree to the fight – and he says it’s a pure 50/50 contest.

“That’s an interesting fight.

I think 50-50 fight. Benavidez is not an easy fighter at all you know and he could make a lot of problems for Canelo.”

RELATED : Teddy Atlas Knows ‘The Only Way’ Terence Crawford Will Fight..

With Benavidez moving up to light-heavyweight, Bivol is open to a clash against the ‘Mexican Monster’, but said his main focus is getting all the belts against Beterbiev.

“It could be a great fight, why not, but my goal is to fight for belts.”

Canelo’s next fight is in September when he defends against Edgar Berlanga. Should he win, Benavidez may well then get his shot at the Mexican, though many think ‘Canelo’ is running scared.

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