Benavidez vs. Beterbiev in 2026? Turki Alalshikh Paves the Way with Riyadh Event

Turki Alalshikh’s idea of having David Benavidez and former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev share the same card on November 22nd in Riyadh appears to be to match them against each other for early 2026.

Riyadh’s Benavidez vs Beterbiev Setup

• David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde
• Artur Beterbiev vs. Deon Nicholson

WBC 175-lb champion Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) vs. Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) would be an exciting fight that would attract a lot of interest from fans worldwide. It’s understandable why Turki would want to create interest in the clash first by having them share the same card on November 22nd on DAZN PPV. That allows people to see them battle against other opposition in tune-up level fights.

Bivol’s Future Payday Decision

Beterbiev wanted the trilogy fight with Dmitry Bivol, but that fight isn’t expected to happen until the second half of 2026. It’s believed that IBF, WBA, and WBO 175-lb champion Bivol is waiting on the winner of the September 13th fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford to face whoever emerges as the victor.

It’s a bigger payday for Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) to face the Canelo-Crawford winner, and far easier on him physically than taking on a healthy Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) in a trilogy. Bivol took a beating in his rematch with Artur last February. This was Artur coming off of knee surgery, nowhere near what it had been in the first fight.

Benavidez’s Tune-up vs Yarde

‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez’s fight against the highly ranked 175-lb contender Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) isn’t being called a tune-up, but it essentially is. Yarde, 33, is nowhere near the same level of talent as Benavidez, and he’s a massive step down in competition from his previous fight against David Morrell last February.

While Benavidez may not want to admit it, that was a difficult fight for him against the Cuban Morrell, as he soaked up a lot of punishment from the harder puncher. Having to go 12 hard rounds against Morrell was a nightmare for Benavidez. His face after the fight resembled the loser, not the winner. Morrell had dished out a career’s worth of punishment on Benavidez in that fight. Going up against Yarde will be easy in comparison.