LAS VEGAS — Out of the 2 choices doubtlessly accessible to David Benavidez, ought to he slay Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his mild heavyweight debut Saturday at MGM Grand Backyard Area in Las Vegas, there may be one which is by far the larger occasion.
Benavidez has lengthy been chasing a super-fight in opposition to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and could be ready to take a pay reduce from the $7 million he’ll be incomes for the Gvozdyk bout to safe a shot on the undisputed tremendous middleweight champion.
However Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh additionally envisages the winner of the October 12 mild heavyweight undisputed championship match between Dmitri Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, making the primary protection of their crown in opposition to Benavidez.
One battle is much larger than the opposite. And, in line with the previous Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, “it’s not even shut.”
Talking to World Boxing Information, Ellerbe stated: “Doubtlessly, if it occurs, a battle between Benavidez and Canelo is a large, enormous battle.
“David desires it dangerous however he’s proven a capability to assume forward, and transfer on along with his profession. If the Canelo battle occurs, he’s throughout it. He’s not simply standing in a division, staying complacent. He’s making a complete lot of reports in one other weight class.”
Frank Martin, who challenges Gervonta Davis for the WBA light-weight world title on the identical evening as Benavidez’s battle with Gvozdyk, agrees with Ellerbe.
He instructed World Boxing Information: “I believe the Canelo battle will probably be an even bigger battle than the opposite fights … Cash clever, and for stardom, the Canelo battle is the higher one for him to take.”
We then requested Benavidez which he thinks is the higher payday — Canelo, or the Bivol vs. Beterbiev winner.
“To be sincere, brother, I’m not centered on the paydays — I’m simply centered on the accolades,” he stated.
“I all the time inform individuals, when you do the job proper, the cash comes. My dream is to be the unified world champion. Whether or not I battle Beterbiev, Bivol, or Canelo, the cash goes to be good.”
“I’m excited concerning the belts. And after I beat Canelo, I grow to be king. Even when I grow to be undisputed at 175, it’s nonetheless an enormous accomplishment for me. Whichever one comes first, I’ll be pleased for both of them.”
Benavidez continued: “If Canelo doesn’t need to battle me, so be it. I don’t see him asking for $200 million to battle anyone else. Actually he’s by no means requested for $100 million, moreover me.
“ I’m greater than keen to do something to make this battle occur. However I’m preventing good fighters anyway, and getting expertise.
“My dream is to grow to be the king and defend my titles. If it takes me two, three, 4 years then so be it. However I’ll have all of the titles, and I will probably be unified champion at 168 and 175.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the 12 months finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Observe Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
