LAS VEGAS – David Benavidez intends to make an immediate decision following his Saturday fight about whether he’ll remain the mandatory WBC contender to Canelo Alvarez or if he’ll exercise his right to stand as the mandatory to the Oct. 12 undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol.

Both Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and his father-trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., told BoxingScene Wednesday of the move to rapidly answer the question.

The WBC previously instructed Phoenix’s former world super-middleweight champion Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) that he’d be given 10 days from Saturday’s 175-pound bout against former light-heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk to choose between the mandatory position at 168 or 175.

At 168, Mexico’s four-division champion Canelo Alvarez bypassed mandatory contender Benavidez and instead took a May 4 bout against former 154-pound champion Jaime Munguia, whom Alvarez defeated by unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

By fighting at 175 Saturday, Bebnavidez, 27, is exploring his options given Alvarez’s position that he’ll be willing to fight Benavidez, but requires purse money ranging between $150 million and $200 million – what seems an unrealistic request barring the involvement of His Excellency Turki Alalshkh in Saudi Arabia.

However, Lewkowicz told BoxingScene Wednesday that Benavidez has not overly inflated for the heavier fight, and is actually “on weight” 48 hours before Friday’s weigh-in.

“The WBC stipulates 30-day, 15-day, seven-day and three-day weigh-ins … he’s been very close to what he’d be for a fight at 168,” Lewkowicz said. “It’s the same amount of weight. It’s not an issue. It shows he can do 168 easy.”

Lewkowicz said he expects Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) to weigh as much as 20 pounds more than Benavidez on fight night after the fighters rehydrate from their official Friday morning weigh-ins.

“I don’t know (if Benavidez being so slim) is a mistake or not. We’ll find out. But it’s an issue,” Lewkowicz said. “It shows (168) is natural to him. He’s training in Miami … with the sweating and the warmth, that (weight loss) is what happened. I’m not worried about it, because he’s a professional and knows what he’s doing.

“But it shows he’s able to go right back to 168.”

That information heightens the intrigue into what Benavidez will choose after the bout.

He can either maintain the pressure on Alvarez, who turns 34 next month, or opt to position himself for the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol.

Lewkowicz maintains he doesn’t believe Alvarez will fight Benavidez, contending the proud champion now favors financial rewards over the legacy of taking on the most qualified challenger.

“Canelo doesn’t give a sh*t about his legacy. He wants money,” Lewkowicz said. “David is a true 168 pounder.”

Alvarez has three mandatory contenders awaiting, including the first in line, IBF contender William Scull. An IBF purse bid meeting for Alvarez-Scull was postponed Wednesday until June 18.

Benavidez, though, has been the top WBC contender for Alvarez, for two years, and the public clamor for that bout is far greater than any other potential foe.

Lewkowicz has heard some of the rumors out there, that a victorious Bivol may decide to bypass any light-heavyweight obligations and instead fight IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, leaving Benavidez high and dry at 175, too.

Lewkowicz said Benavidez will also consult with a physician about whether his body is best suited for 168 or 175 pounds.

How he does in the ring Saturday will be considered, as will the importance of the mandatory position he has earned.

“Canelo has said David will gain 25 extra pounds when he fights David, but that’s not happening,” Lewkowicz said. “Canelo saying (lesser-known WBA mandatory Edgar) Berlanga is more deserving … that is stupidity.

“He’s a good businessman. You have the promoter-businessman, Saul Alvarez, and the fighter, Canelo Alvarez. Saul Alvarez says, ‘Don’t fight (Benavidez). It’s a tough fight. You can lose. WE can make the same amount of money in two other fights.’

“Canelo is saying, ‘Ok, I’m not afraid, but whatever you say.’ That’s all this is. That’s the way I feel.”