Is Canelo avoiding Benavidez as he could lose to his fellow Mexicans?
Looking at the stats sheet, “Mexican monster” David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KO) was the two-year WBC Super Middleweight Champion and the No. 1 candidate for two years, but somehow, 168 – Pound champion Canelo Alvarez never defended his crown against his duties.
David Benavidez is the interim champion of the WBC and won two world title eliminators, but that wasn’t enough as Canelo was able to avoid facing him inside the squared circle. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman supported Canelo by not ordering a Canelo vs Benavidez clash.
In May 2022, David Benavidez stopped David Lemieux in the third round to win the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title. Benavides’ dominant performance against Lemieux has intensified public demand for the Canelo vs Benavides match.
Four months later, Canelo Alvarez treated the boxing public in a trilogy battle they didn’t want when he fought against the 40-year-old declined Jennady “Ggg” Golovkin. The third fight was a fight to forget as boxing fans witnessed 36 minutes of boredom.
The best actions took place at a postwar press conference when media members were permanent in regards to asking David Benavidez questions. Canelo Alvarez was visibly annoyed as he tried to give him one final reaction.
“Everyone, I say this, you show that video and put whatever you want, because when I say I don’t want to fight the Mexicans, I represent Mexico. But I don’t mind, I will fight anyone throughout my life. Whether I don’t want to fight Benavidez in Mexico, look, his dad has a lot of sh*t I hear him talk, but he has achieved nothing, one champion, Anthony Darrell.”
After issuing this statement, Canelo contradicted himself by fighting John Ryder and Edgar Berlanga. Both Rider and Berlanga are boxers who have never won a world title. Canelo was even more contradictory when he said he wouldn’t fight Mexican fighters on behalf of Mexico, but agreed to fight Mexican boxer Jaime Munguia.
When it comes to playing against David Benavides, Canelo has produced many excuses related to why he isn’t fighting Benavides. Canelo nurtured a way for Benavides to rehydrate the night before the battle, but rehydration wasn’t an issue when Canelo packed up hydration overnight to fight Amir Khan .
Canelo showed his hand and proved to the public that he was ducking Benavides when he used the infamous ducking tactic known as his own pricing. Normally, Canelo will receive around $30 million per battle, but in an interview with FightHub TV, Canelo said he agreed to fight David Benavidez for $200 million.
It’s very difficult to say that boxers are afraid of others due to the fact that every boxer is a true gladiator. So, what is it? Why does Canelo refuse to fight David Benavides?
The answer to this question may finally be revealed during the epic clash between David Benavides and David Morell. During the battle, Benavidez fans said, “Mexico! Mexico!”
Canelo has no problem fighting his fellow Mexicans as he fought Jaime Munguia. The question is, is Canelo fearing accepting a fight with the Mexicans who have the chance to defeat him?
Iconic professional wrestler Rick Flair has always said, “To be a man, you beat a man.” If David Benavides defeats Canelo Alvarez, he becomes a man and he also becomes a Mexican boxing face.
In May 2022, Canelo Alvarez lost to defensive WBA lightweight champion Dmitry Biboll in an unanimous decision. Alvarez’s brand was not affected by losses, but most importantly, he was able to recover mentally from his defeat.
That being said, hypothetical, will Canelo Alvarez be able to recover mentally if he is defeated by David Benavides? A loss to Benavides could cause minor damage to Canelo’s position as a boxing face, but could do significant damage in relation to Canelo’s position as a Mexican boxing face.
It could have been defeated by Benavidez, and Canelo could lose his world title and lose a member of his fanbase. Canelo Alvarez vs David Benavides is a mega battle we never see because Benavides is a risk that Canelo would not be willing to accept.
Within the ring, David Benavidez’s hand speed and constant work rate are serious issues that Canelo has to deal with. These dangerous issues are the main factors relating to why Canelo never carry out this fight.
Canelo Alvarez is a legendary future hall of fame who, in his own words, wants to leave the sport of boxing. Defeating to fellow Mexican David Benavidez, Canelo could have a mental impact and could instruct him to have ideas about resignation.
One day, David Benavides could have become the face of Mexican boxing, but Canelo hopes that Benavides will gain that distinction if he falls out of the sport. If David Benavidez becomes the face of Mexican boxing, Canelo hopes he will inherit it because he retired.
Last updated on 02/08/2025