Benavidez Sr. Reveals Turki Alalshikh’s Plan For Bivol Vs. David Benavidez Unification

Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. says he believes Turki Alalshikh spoke to unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and told him he wants him to fight WBC champ David Benavidez in a unification match after his trilogy with Artur Beterbiev.

Bivol vs. Benavidez Next?

Jose Sr. believes the clash against Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) will happen “Next” after Benavidez’s title defense against Anthony Yarde on November 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

For Bivol to suddenly start talking about wanting to fight ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is a clear signal to Jose Sr. that Turki spoke to him, telling him that he wants that matchup to happen now. Bivol had shown little interest in fighting Benavidez. He’d even vacated his WBC 175-lb title recently rather than face him.

“Now, he’s talking about David Benavidez. I think Turki already called him, and he knows if everything goes well, he’s going to have to fight David Benavidez. That’s who we’re facing later next,” said trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. to Fighthype about his son, ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez’s next fight after his November 22nd defense against Anthony Yarde.

Bivol’s Pressure Struggles

The pressure style that Benavidez uses will be a lot of trouble for Bivol, who doesn’t handle being forced to fight. He struggled in his first fight against Artur Beterbiev when he was pressing him.

In their rematch, Bivol did better, but only because Artur didn’t pressure as much, perhaps due to his being rushed into the fight months after knee surgery. When Beterbiev did go all out in an attack in the 12th, he had Bivol close to being knocked out. Benavidez will do the same, but right from the start.

Benavidez vs. Yarde Preview

Benavidez is expected to make easy work of Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in their clash on DAZN on November 22nd at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. That’s a step down from the grueling fight that Benavidez had against David Morrell last February.

“So, if he’s [Bivol] speaking now, it’s a fight that’s made already. We’re focused on Anthony Yarde. That’s all we care about at the moment. After that’s finished, we’ll sit down and see who is next,” said Benavidez Sr.