Alalshikh's Wishlist: Opetaia-Benavidez Headlines 7 Targets

Turki Alalshikh has named seven fights he wants to make, and Jai Opetaia against David Benavidez stands out as the most telling name on his list.

The Saudi advisor, whose backing has driven some of the sport's biggest recent purses, rattled off the wishlist that also includes Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua, Shakur Stevenson against Devin Haney, Naoya Inoue against Bam Rodriguez, a Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez rematch, Filip Hrgovic against Rico Verhoeven, and Crawford against Ryan Garcia.

Why Opetaia-Benavidez Matters Most

Jai Opetaia against David Benavidez would answer questions neither fighter can answer against the competition currently available to him. Benavidez has never quite turned his talent into mainstream buzz, and Opetaia has no cruiserweight rival capable of giving him a true crossover event. Alalshikh's interest strips away Benavidez's usual excuse. The platform and the money would be there if he wanted it, and camping out at light heavyweight for softer fights would look timid next to his long, public chase of Canelo Alvarez.

The Rest of the List, Fight by Fight

Shakur Stevenson against Devin Haney has history and skill behind it, but it also carries the risk of a tight, tactical fight that doesn't match the hype around the names. Naoya Inoue against Bam Rodriguez might be the most technically fascinating matchup on the list, though Rodriguez would be jumping into a weight class where Inoue holds a real physical edge as a natural, destructive force at 122 pounds.

A second Crawford-Alvarez fight is the hardest to justify on paper. It would need either a genuinely disputed outcome or a very different weight arrangement to feel like more than a victory lap. Crawford against Ryan Garcia is simpler to explain: Garcia moves tickets and eyeballs, Crawford brings the pound-for-pound resume, and the pairing reads more like a commercial showcase than a pick-em fight. Fury-Joshua remains the biggest single draw on the list even with both heavyweights past their physical peak, while Hrgovic-Verhoeven is the outlier, pitting a mainstream boxer against a decorated kickboxer working outside his home sport.

Betting Angle

None of these fights are official yet, so there's no line to point to. But the shape of the list tells bettors where the value conversations will start once contracts get signed. Opetaia would likely open as a solid favorite over Benavidez given the size and range questions Benavidez would face moving up, while Inoue-Rodriguez sets up as a classic style-versus-power line once Rodriguez's move in weight is confirmed. Crawford-Garcia projects as the kind of mismatch on paper that still draws heavy public money on the bigger name, exactly the type of spot sharp bettors watch for line value on the underdog.

Not every name on this list turns into a fight. But the pattern, big names, weight jumps, and crossover appeal, shows exactly what Alalshikh is chasing next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fights does Turki Alalshikh want to make?

Turki Alalshikh has named seven target fights: Jai Opetaia vs. David Benavidez, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, Shakur Stevenson vs. Devin Haney, Naoya Inoue vs. Bam Rodriguez, a Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez rematch, Filip Hrgovic vs. Rico Verhoeven, and Crawford vs. Ryan Garcia.

Has Jai Opetaia vs. David Benavidez been signed?

No, it has not been confirmed as an official bout. It is one of the fights Turki Alalshikh has said he wants to make.

Why is Opetaia vs. Benavidez seen as significant?

Jai Opetaia has no cruiserweight rival capable of delivering a genuine super fight, and David Benavidez has struggled to convert his skill into mainstream interest, so a matchup between them would address both problems at once.