BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 19: Canelo Alvarez (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Many fans wanted to see Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez in his next fight. This is not happening.
Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, despite the matchup with Munguia in a few days, Alvarez can’t escape questions about a fight with Benavidez.
It seems Benavidez has gained more notoriety for being the guy Alvarez doesn’t seem to want to fight than for his amazing 28-0 record (24 KOs) and world championship.
Alvarez appeared in an episode of ESPN First Take on Thursday and was asked about his willingness to fight Benavidez and what it would take to make the fight happen.
Many fans wanted to see Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez in his next fight. This is not happening.
Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, despite the matchup with Munguia in a few days, Alvarez can’t escape questions about a fight with Benavidez.
Alvarez appeared on an episode of ESPN First Take on Thursday. He was asked about his willingness to fight Benavidez and what it would take to make the fight happen.
“If the money is right, why not,” Alvarez replied. “I can fight him on Saturday night. Of course I’ll beat him. If the money’s right, I’ll beat him that same night [as Munguia].”
Alvarez is obviously spitting hype for a two-on-one night, and his verbal agreement to fight Benavidez carries no weight without execution.
Meanwhile, while favored to beat Munguia on Saturday, Alvarez should not look past his opponent. Alvarez is now 33 years old and Saturday’s clash with Munguia will be his 65th professional fight.
At some point, even fighters as great as Alvarez began to show some decline in their skills and gifts. Munguia’s current and former Alvarez supporter Oscar De La Hoya may not have played the big role he used to, fanning the flames during a heated pre-fight press conference on Wednesday.
Alvarez and De La Hoya have a long-standing feud dating back to their days as business partners, and the two men had to be separated at the press event.
From a pure boxing standpoint, Alvarez is expected to defeat his compatriot, seemingly opening the door for a fight against Benavidez.
However, Benavidez has since made plans to move up to 175 pounds to chase a title in a new weight class. Benavidez faces Oleksandr Gvozdyk in the co-main event of the June 15 Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin card.
Benavidez has always been a great super middleweight. Some believe his size is one of the main reasons Alvarez has yet to want to fight Benavidez.
If Benavidez moves up to 175 pounds to fight Gvozdyk, going back down to 168 pounds might be more difficult for him. Benavidez is unlikely to turn down a chance to fight Alvarez in what would be the biggest payday of his career.
In any case, we’re less than 48 hours away from Alvarez-Munguia, but something tells me the talk of the Benavidez fight will continue for a while.
