David Benavidez Launching His Own DB Promotions

David Benavidez is starting his own promotional company, DB Promotions, once his decade-long contract with Sampson Lewkowicz expires after his December fight. The unbeaten light heavyweight contender confirmed the news himself, telling Brian Custer the December bout closes out a deal that dates back 10 years and that DB Promotions will take over as his primary banner starting early next year.

Benavidez made clear the split with Lewkowicz is not acrimonious. "This is the last fight on my contract," Benavidez said. "I've honored the contract. The contract has been 10 years." He went out of his way to praise the man who built him into one of boxing's top attractions. "Sampson, he's did a wonderful job," Benavidez said. "He's one of the greatest promoters of all time. But it's just my time to do my own thing."

What DB Promotions Actually Changes

David Benavidez will still lean on Al Haymon and PBC to get fights made even with his own promotional banner in place. He was explicit that stepping out from under Lewkowicz does not mean going fully independent. TGB Productions and Haymon's network remain the engine for television money, date placement and negotiating leverage against opponents. What changes is who sits at the table representing Benavidez's own interests and, presumably, who captures a bigger slice of promotional revenue on his own fight nights.

Benavidez also floated using DB Promotions to sign other fighters, specifically ones who train with him and his father, Jose Benavidez Sr. "There's a lot of great fighters I could take under my wing and put them under the promotion company," he said. That's a longer-term play. Running a stable means covering purses, travel and club show costs for prospects who may not generate revenue for years, a very different business than promoting your own main events.

Betting Angle

For bettors, this is a business story more than a form story, but it's not irrelevant. Benavidez has been vocal about wanting the biggest fights available to him, Jai Opetaia, Artur Beterbiev or Oleksandr Usyk among the names mentioned, and controlling more of his own promotional equity gives him a stronger hand in forcing those fights to the table rather than waiting on someone else's matchmaking priorities. None of that changes what sportsbooks think of him physically. Benavidez has long been treated as a live underdog or pick against the elite light heavyweights and cruiserweights, and that read on his in-ring resume holds regardless of who promotes him. The practical betting impact shows up later, if DB Promotions and PBC actually get a Beterbiev or Usyk fight signed, that booking news will move markets far more than the promotional restructuring itself.

The immediate thing to watch is December. Benavidez closes out his Lewkowicz deal with that fight, and how he performs matters more to oddsmakers than who's putting his name on the poster afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is David Benavidez's new promotional company called?

David Benavidez is launching DB Promotions, which becomes his primary promotional banner starting early next year once his contract with Sampson Lewkowicz expires.

Is David Benavidez leaving PBC and Al Haymon?

No, David Benavidez says he will still work alongside Al Haymon and PBC even after forming DB Promotions; the new company replaces Sampson Lewkowicz, not his PBC relationship.

When does David Benavidez's contract with Sampson Lewkowicz end?

David Benavidez's deal with Sampson Lewkowicz ends after his scheduled December 2025 fight, which closes out a 10-year contract.