Benavidez Bashes Canelo For Not Fighting Him – ‘He Was Blocking My Greatness’

December 22, 2024
2 months
Benavidez Bashes Canelo For Not Fighting Him - 'He Was Blocking My Greatness'

David Benavidez has hit out at Canelo Alvarez after the pair ultimately failed to fight at super middleweight. 

Benavidez was the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for over two years. There was an increasing demand for the WBC to order Canelo to face his mandatory in what would have been one of the biggest Mexican clashes ever. Benavidez is an undefeated knockout artist who is 29-0. The fight would have been for undisputed since Canelo held all the belts. Alvarez said he wanted between $150-200 million to make that fight. This was seen as a way of pricing himself out to avoid being labelled a duck.

The WBC did not respond by stripping Canelo, so he chose to face Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga instead. Canelo also vacated his IBF belt to face Berlanga instead of taking on his mandatory William Scull, reducing the importance of the Benavidez fight. Benavidez ultimately became frustrated as his career was stalling. The Mexican Monster moved up to 175 pounds and is currently campaigning there. He is set to face David Morrell Jr. on February 1.

Benavidez On Canelo

Benavidez is the current WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion, while Morrell holds the WBA interim belt. The winner knows they take a step closer to facing the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev will defend his titles against Dmitry Bivol in their February 22 rematch. Benavidez still harbors frustrations over Canelo’s conduct. 

“It’s not even about him, I don’t care what he does, but he was kind of blocking my chance at greatness, going up against the four titles. I know a a lot of people do that in boxing, that’s not really my business, but that’s the one I did have a problem with. Canelo Alvarez,” Benavidez said 

Reports indicate that Canelo will speak with the Saudis over fighting in the Kingdom next year. The Saudis have shown they want to put on the biggest fights. A Canelo-Benavidez fight would fit that bill. If anyone is capable of giving big paydays, it is them. But that would require Benavidez to fight in Saudi Arabia. Canelo is in a position where he can have more control over his career.

Will It Happen?

Meanwhile, Benavidez does not have that luxury. There are also questions about the weight class. A fight would take place at 168 or a catchweight. Benavidez will have his second fight at 175 against Morrell, meaning it would be much more difficult to come back down. There is also the issue of whether Canelo would want a rehydration clause. But Benavidez was clear he would give Canelo problems.

“I wouldn’t have had a problem with that fight if Edgar Berlanga had went out there and put everything on the line. He didn’t do [nothing]. He didn’t do anything, just defence the whole fight not trying to get knocked out. “That’s why Canelo is avoiding me. Because he knows I’m putting everything in that ring. I’m not leaving nothing to chance. I’m working my ass off and I have 100% confidence in myself and I know whoever I get in the ring with, I’m gonna end up winning. The people that Canelo is picking, we all know they’re not the best. There’s only one guy that everybody wants to see Canelo fight and that’s me,” Benavidez stated 

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