David Benavidez has temporarily given up hope of a fight against super middleweight unification champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“The Mexican Monster” was a WBC must-fight for Canelo, but the champion showed little interest in making the fight happen, putting a $200 million price tag on it, leading some fans and even Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh to accuse him of being afraid to face the former champion.
Fed up of waiting for his chance, Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight, making his debut in June against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Although the 27-year-old earned the win, he was taken the full distance, raising questions about whether his power will translate to the higher weight class.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV about Benavidez’s performance, Canelo said he “did nothing” and reiterated his demand that the fight take place.
“That’s his weight class, 175, and he really doesn’t do anything there. He’s not the same in his weight class of 175.”
As I said, if the money is right, I’ve always fought anyone you asked for, Golovkin, anyone you told me, but now it’s time to ask. If they want me to fight them, they’ll have to pay me well.”
Benavidez is the current interim WBC 175 champion and the first to face the winner of the undisputed clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmity Bivol. When asked if the man he suffered only his second career loss to in 2022 would beat Benavidez if the two met, Canelo made it clear that he expected Bivol to emerge victorious.
“We see Benavidez in his last fight, yes (Bivol wins).
Canelo will be back in action on September 14 when he defends his three middleweight belts against Edgar Berlanga.
