End of an Era? Lewkowicz Says Benavidez's Contract Runs Out in December

RUMOR (promoter on the record). David Benavidez's longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, on their final fight together, in a clip from The Spit Bucket reposted by ProBoxingFans (x.com): "I have his contract until December. He gave me 10 years of loyalty. I wish the best for him from the bottom of my heart. I will never make any issue."

The jab. Boxing writer Cory Rapacz quote-posted it (x.com): "Well, 10 years of loyalty except the time he took $250,000 from Top Rank and tried to sign with them for a couple of weeks." That's Rapacz's claim alone; we haven't verified it, and neither Benavidez nor Top Rank has commented. Dan Rafael replied to Rapacz (x.com): "Don't be so technical." 😏

So where does the Monster go? Nobody knows yet. His name is already on Usyk's reported 2027 shortlist (on Boxbid), and he's been talking Beterbiev at cruiserweight (on Boxbid). A free agent with that wish list will have suitors, darlings. 💅

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Rumor-Meter

• Benavidez's contract with Lewkowicz ends in December: HOT. It's the promoter's own words.
• Where Benavidez signs next: COLD. There's no reporting on suitors, just speculation.

Whisper Update, Oct. 19: meet DB Promotions. 🏢

REPORTED. The Monster is going his own way, but not far. Talking to Brian Custer, per Boxing News 24 (boxingnews24.com), Benavidez said: "This is the last fight on my contract. You know, I’ve honored the contract. The contract has been 10 years." On Lewkowicz: "Sampson, he’s did a wonderful job. He’s one of the greatest promoters of all time. But, you know, it’s just my time to do my own thing." BN24 says the new banner is DB Promotions and that he still wants Al Haymon and TGB alongside him. In short, he stays with PBC.

Moving on from Canelo. The Ring's caption (x.com): '"I don't want to keep calling somebody out that doesn't want to fight." David Benavidez has effectively moved on from a fight with Canelo Alvarez 😳'

The wish list. After Michal Cieslak on Dec. 5, per BN24 (boxingnews24.com): "We’re talking about Opetaia. We’re talking about Beterbiev. And then we’re maybe talking about Usyk." On Jai Opetaia: "The fight that I got to honor first is the fight with Opetaia because I told him I’d fight him Cinco de Mayo next year." On Bivol: "In the next three fights, probably not."

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Beterbiev answers. The Ring's caption (x.com): "Artur Beterbiev calling out David Benavidez from the gym today 👀 🗣️"

Boxer pages: Jai Opetaia (on Boxbid) and Artur Beterbiev (on Boxbid).

Rumor-Meter update (Oct. 19)

• Benavidez launches DB Promotions and stays with PBC: HOT (REPORTED). It's his own words.
• Benavidez vs. Opetaia, Cinco de Mayo weekend 2027: WARM. It's his stated plan, but it's unsigned and Cieslak comes first.
• Benavidez vs. Beterbiev: COLD-WARM. Both men are talking about it.
• Benavidez vs. Usyk: COLD. He said "maybe".

Opetaia, Beterbiev or Usyk first? Drop your take in the Boxbid community. 👀

You didn't hear it from me… 🤫