EXCLUSIVE
Saudi boxing kingpin wants to make fight between David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev winner, not Canelo Alvarez
David Benavidez looks set to be offered an undisputed world title fight, but perhaps not the one he was expecting.
On Friday night, the Mexican-American star publicly called for His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority) to help him make a fight with Canelo Alvarez for the super-middleweight crown.
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However, marvelbet369.com understands that HE Alalshikh would prefer to match Benavidez with the winner of Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev in December for the light-heavyweight belts instead.
It's already known that Bivol vs Beterbiev is set for June 1 in Riyadh on a show staged by the GEA.
Benavidez recently confirmed that he will be moving up to light-heavyweight for his next fight.
He is already the WBC mandatory for Canelo at super-middleweight, but intends to also become the WBC mandatory at light-heavyweight.
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In order to do this, he will have to beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15.
If successful, Benavidez would hold the mandatory position in both divisions, but he has made it clear which one he would prefer to pursue.
With Canelo demanding $150million to fight him, Benavidez took to Instagram and said: "@TurkiAlalshik - let’s bring the biggest and most exciting fight to Saudi Arabia.
"This will be the biggest Mexican vs Mexican-American fight in the history of boxing and what better place to do it than The Kingdom, for the entire world to see.
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"This fight is for pride and glory. I fight for greatness not money.
"Your Excellency, if I do not beat Canelo, I will donate my entire purse to any kids charity of your liking.
"When I do beat Canelo, I will be donating a huge amount of that purse to benefit children hunger across the world.
"I’m a champion of the people and will continue to fight the best! I stand by my words!"
However, marvelbet369.com understands that HE Alalshikh believes a fight between Benavidez and the Bivol vs Beterbiev winner is more practical.
The two Russian champions are set to have a rematch clause for their undisputed clash, but there is a possibility that Benavidez could face the winner in between their two bouts.
Whatever happens, it appears June will be a crucial month for the future of the light-heavyweight division, with Bivol vs Beterbiev on June 1 followed by Benavidez vs Gvozdyk on June 15.
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