Benavidez Eyes Canelo For Undisputed At 175 – ‘It Can Happen’

David Benavidez is confident he can get Canelo Alvarez to fight him if he beats David Morrell Jr. and later becomes undisputed at 175.
Benavidez boxes Morrell on February 1 at 175 pounds. He moved up to 175 after failing to get the Canelo fight at 168. He had been the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for over two years. But Canelo wanted $150-200 million to make the fight. The WBC did not strip Canelo, as Benavidez moved up to 175. He then beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his debut at 175. Canelo has boxed at 175 before. He defeated Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO Light Heavyweight Title.
But his last attempt at 175 was not successful. He suffered the second defeat of his career when he boxed Dmitry Bivol. But if Benavidez beats Morrell, he becomes mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Bivol. They fight on February 22 for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. That sets up a potential Canelo fight at 175 if Benavidez were to become undisputed. Canelo has been undisputed at 168, meaning he has more incentive to do it at 175.
Benavidez On Canelo
“My plan is now, beating David Morrell. Going up and winning the undisputed title in that way, I can entice a fight with Canelo. Maybe we can do a catchweight at 172. I don’t know if they would allow it. It would be the highest-paying fight of all boxing. It’s possible it can happen.
“Tyson Fury got $150 million. Usyk got like $150 million. I think Canelo is putting the price out there, letting people know what the cost is. Now, you see, he met with Turki Al-Sheikh. So, I think we’re in a good position right now. I always keep my thoughts on my opponent in front of me. We’re not thinking of Canelo right now. We’re thinking of David Morrell, and after that, we’re going to win the undisputed title,” Benavidez said
Will It Happen?
The problem Benavidez faces is that Canelo is now 34. Alvarez is not at his peak, although he can still fight at a high level. The fight would be dangerous for Canelo to take at this stage of his career. Reports indicate that he will face Terence Crawford in September. That would see Crawford jump up two weight classes.
Canelo faced Jermell Charlo, who also did the same in 2023, showing he is not keen on taking the riskiest fights. There are also concerns that Benavidez may be unable to command the purse he would want for such a big fight. Benavidez only becomes a PPV star if he beats Canelo. But if the numbers are right and big titles are on the line, it could be made.
“But this fight is inevitable. Everyone is asking for it. It’s the biggest fight that can possibly be made. I’m not scared of Canelo. I feel like I can beat him. That’s basically what I’m been doing with David Morrell,” Benavidez stated
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