Benavidez Calls Out Canelo Over PEDs – ‘He Popped Dirty For Clenbuterol’
David Benavidez has exposed Canelo Alvarez, saying he only looked good in his career when he tested positive for clenbuterol.
The Mexican Monster’s comments come as he failed to get the Alvarez fight at 168. Benavidez is the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion, which he has been for over two years. However, Canelo has demanded $200 million for that fight, making it unlikely. Since then, Benavidez has moved up to 175. He will box Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15.
While a win makes him mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol, who fight for undisputed on October 12, the Canelo fight is still the biggest that can be made. Benavidez stoked some war of words, claiming that Canelo’s best performance against GGG in the first fight was only after he had tested positive for clenbuterol. Canelo failed the test after their first fight, which was declared a draw. Many felt that GGG had been deprived of a win. Although Canelo was banned for six months, which was subsequently backdated, Benavidez had plenty to say.
Benavidez On Canelo
“Well look at this. I’m gonna throw another thing at you guys. When the greatest Canelo came out – the one that fought Triple G the first time – dude popped dirty for Clenbuterol bro. Why do you think the second fight didn’t happen? For me, that was the best Canelo I’ve ever seen, but that Canelo off of steroids.
“Everybody else that he’s fought. Amir Khan, Daniel Jacobs, what the…[heck]is his name, Billy Joe Saunders, Caleb Plant, these guys are all weak bro. So that’s why I see Canelo Alvarez and I think he’s not as good as everybody thinks. Because the best one was off Clenbuterol. That’s why he looked so good,” Benavidez said
Benavidez took issue with Canelo’s defense. After the failed test, Canelo submitted a hair follicle test. This came back negative, aiding his defense that there was no long-term PED usage. However, the explanation provided by Canelo’s team was scrutinized. They claimed Canelo tested positive due to some tainted beef, which was subsequently accepted.
Benavidez On His Defense
While strict liability applied, the six-month was not seen as a ban since that is roughly how long fighters take a break before their next bouts. Benavidez also claimed that the amount of tainted meat that needed to be consumed before one could test positive for this had to be excessive. That made him doubt Alvarez’s defense.
“He said that he ate meat that was tainted in Mexico. I’ve talked to people. They say that for him to test positive off a piece of meat he would’ve had to eat the whole cow,” Benavidez added
Canelo is a cash cow in boxing, which was no doubt a point of consideration when deciding the length of his ban. While Benavidez’s comments may anger some, it plays into the narrative of building up the rivalry further. The only way to settle the score would be for both to fight each other.
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