Many fans wanted to see Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez in his next fight. That’s 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 a matchup with Munguia in a matter of days, Alvarez cannot escape the 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 he has for his stellar 28-0 record (24 KO) and world championship status.
Alvarez appeared on an episode of ESPN First Take on Thursday and he 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. That’s 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 a matchup with Munguia in a matter of days, Alvarez cannot escape the 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 correct, why not,” Alvarez responded. “I can fight him on Saturday night too. Of course, I’ll beat that guy. If the money is correct, I’ll beat that guy the same night [as Munguia].”
Alvarez is obviously spitting hyperbole about a two-for-one night, and his verbal agreement to fight Benavidez doesn’t carry weight without execution.
Meanwhile, while favored to defeat Munguia on Saturday, Alvarez must not look past his opponent. Alvarez is now 33, 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 give in their skills and gifts. Munguia’s current and Alvarez’s former promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, may not have done the former much of a service by stoking 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 countryman, seemingly opening the door for a matchup against Benavidez.
However, Benavidez has since made plans to move up to 175 pounds to pursue a title in a new weight class. Benavidez faces Oleksandr Gvozdyk in the co-featured bout on the Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin card on June 15.
Benavidez was always a large super middleweight. Some believe his size is one of the primary reasons Alvarez has yet to be keen on fighting Benavidez.
If Benavidez moves up to 175 pounds to fight Gvozdyk, moving back down to 168 pounds may be more challenging for him. Benavidez is unlikely to turn down an opportunity 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 Benavidez fight talk will continue for a while.
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