VETERAN promoter Sampson Lewkowicz insists that David Benavidez’s next fight will be for the WBC world light-heavyweight title, regardless of whether he reaches an agreement with undisputed king Dmitry Bivol.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the sanctioning body’s president, has given both teams until April 8 to negotiate terms before a purse bid is called.
But while Benavidez’s mandatory position represents a potential hurdle, boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh has nonetheless expressed his interest in a trilogy between Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), and Artur Beterbiev.
The pair squared off in a compelling rematch last month, with Bivol claiming all the jewellery at 175lbs after edging a fiercely contested majority decision against his rival.
It then appeared as though two-time super-middleweight titlist Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), was in pole position to challenge the highly-skilled technician later this year.
Alalshikh, however, has largely dismissed the interim champion as a possible option for Bivol, seemingly making a statement that he will not be beholden to the WBC.
Instead, WBO interim titlist Callum Smith has emerged as a worthy opponent for Benavidez following his mightily impressive victory over Joshua Buatsi.
According to Lewkowicz, who promotes ‘The Monster Bandera Roja,’ an offer for Benavidez to face the Brit has already been received by his management team.
But while he has no problem with the matchup, Lewkowicz has hinted that he would be far more willing to secure the Bivol showdown for his fighter.
Rather than it taking place in Saudi Arabia, though, Benavidez’s promoter has opined that a show in America – more specifically Las Vegas – would make far more sense from a business perspective.
“Trust me, I’m well prepared with PBC [for a WBC purse bid on April 8],” Lewkowicz told Sean Zittel. “Over here in America, we can do a promotion with [Alalshikh]. We can make that together, but I will not kiss his ring.
“[Alalshikh is] a rookie in boxing; he’s not the face of boxing. Boxing is a family, and what is best for the family? It’s America, not Saudi.”
