David Benavidez eyed for shock Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight clash in 2027 after becoming three-weight world champion

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh sensationally intends to make David Benavidez vs Oleksandr Usyk in 2027.

Benavidez became a three-weight world champion in Las Vegas this past weekend, following a sixth-round stoppage win over Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on his cruiserweight debut.

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The 29-year-old – now the unified WBA and WBO king – made his ringwalk with Mike Tyson and put on a performance worthy of being attached to the boxing legend.

He dropped his opponent in round four before the contest was waved off in the sixth due to a nasty eye injury to ‘Zurdo’.

And according to the Ring Magazine, Alalshikh has now expressed his desire to have the American fight unified heavyweight king Usyk next year.

Usyk returns to the ring on May 30 to face former Glory kickboxing heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

The Ukrainian viciously knocked out Daniel Dubois in July last time out and puts his WBC belt on the line against Verhoeven.

Should Usyk come out victorious, plans are already being put in place for him to face undefeated German Agit Kabayel later this year.

The winner of Fabio Wardley vs Dubois in Manchester this weekend is likely to be the first to get their hands on Usyk.

And Tyson Fury is also in the mix to get his revenge through a trilogy.

Who’s next for Benavidez?

As for Benavidez, a clash against Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight could be next.

Or the American could find himself sticking to cruiserweight to face Jai Opetaia.

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“Enjoy your victory champ… see you soon!” Opetaia, who lost his IBF cruiserweight title after making his Zuffa Boxing debut in March, posted on X after Benavidez’s win in Sin City.

However, Benavidez mentioned none of the aforementioned on Saturday night when discussing his future.

“I just want to give the fans what they want to see,” Benavidez said.

“I’ve seen Canelo [Alvarez] in the building, do you guys want to see Canelo vs David Benavidez?

“We can’t leave that fight on the table. I have respect for Canelo, he’s a great champion.

“But I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it.”

Last week, Alvarez reportedly signed a deal to fight Christian Mbilli in September.

The pair are expected to headline a ‘Mexico vs the World’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.