Sampson Lewkowicz Details Benavidez to Riyadh
- Matthew Brown
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
07/19/2025
In a stunning announcement that sent shockwaves through the boxing world, David Benavidez had officially signed on to face Anthony Yarde on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement caught many by surprise given the recent turbulence surrounding Benavidez’s relationship with Riyadh Season architect Turki Alalshikh.
After a highly publicized trip to Saudi Arabia that ended in frustration—marked by broken promises of a long-anticipated showdown with Dmitry Bivol and bizarre public statements from Alalshikh—Benavidez seemed destined to go his own way and get frozen out. Adding to the tension was the WBC’s decision to enforce it’s mandatory. The decision resulted in Bivol vacating his light heavyweight title, and the WBC naming Benavidez champion.
Yet in an exclusive interview with Brunch Boxing, Benavidez’s longtime promoter Sampson Lewkowicz laid bare how the deal with Saudi Arabia came together—and why the fighter’s path is now leading back to the Kingdom.
“I didn’t send him,” Lewkowicz clarified. “It was a negotiation.”
The veteran promoter emphasized that despite the perception of bad blood, he held no personal animosity toward Turki Alalshikh. In fact, he acknowledged that when the offer came in, it was simply too good to pass up.
“I have nothing against Turki Alalshikh,” Lewkowicz said. “He made an offer that I couldn’t refuse. This is boxing. You have to do what’s best for your fighters.”
According to Lewkowicz, the deal came together with unprecedented speed—something rarely seen at the elite level of the sport.
“I really appreciate that they got in touch and they made the fight within 48 hours. A major fight. To make it in 48 hours—I never saw it in 30 years in business.”
While the backstory includes a fair share of chaos and controversy, the result is a marquee matchup with global intrigue.
And for Benavidez, the rewards are tangible. Lewkowicz confirmed that the 28-year-old will receive the most lucrative payday of his career when he steps into the ring against Yarde in Riyadh.
“He will get the best purse he’s ever had,” Lewkowicz revealed. “I always look out for what’s best for my fighters.”
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