Boxing

Turki Alalshikh Pours Cold Water On Dmitry Bivol vs David Benavidez Fight

Boxing star David Benavidez appears to be getting left on the sidelines once again.

Grant Young

Feb 1, 2024; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Turki Al-Sheikh, advisor at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current chairman of general authority for entertainment, walks on the field before the game between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami CF. Mandatory Credit: Victor Fraile-Imagn Images
Feb 1, 2024; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Turki Al-Sheikh, advisor at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current chairman of general authority for entertainment, walks on the field before the game between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami CF. Mandatory Credit: Victor Fraile-Imagn Images / Victor Fraile-Imagn Images

There's no dispute that Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's general entertainment authority, is not only the most powerful man in boxing but in all of combat sports. The sheer number of fantastic fights that he has put together over the past couple of years (which would not have been made without him) proves this.

This means that Alalshikh has the power to both produce and dismiss potential fights as he sees fit. And as recently as last month, he seemed keen on making a fight between David Benavidez and the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol match.

However, Alalshikh's sentiment has since shifted as a March 7 release from his Ring Magazine quoted him saying, “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. My advice to Bivol: don’t be late because every day something changes.”

This change in decision is surely owed to Alalshikh's desire to put on a trilogy fight between Bivol and Beterbiev after Bivol emerged victorious in the rematch last month, in what was another fight for the ages.

While boxing fans won't complain about getting to see these two titans settle their in-ring rivalry once and for all, these same fans have got to feel for Benavidez, who was never able to secure a big fight with Canelo Alvarez despite years of trying and is now being left on the sidelines once again.

However, once this trilogy is finalized, Benavidez should become next in line to get his big money fight against the victor.

The Latest Boxing News

Eddie Hearn Up For A Fight Amid Dana White And Turki Alalshikh Boxing League Alliance

Canelo Alvarez Gives Take On Dmitry Bivol Rematch And Weight Class Move

Canelo Alvarez Gives Blunt Verdict On Gervonta Davis Fight Disqualification

Logan Paul Claims Credit For Floyd Mayweather Fighting Rule

Published
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Boxing, Women’s Basketball, and the New York Mets for On SI. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco, where he also played Division 1 baseball for five years, and he thinks it’s time that Canelo Álvarez fights David Benavidez.