Canelo Justifies $200 Million For Benavidez – ‘I Can Beat That Guy Tomorrow’
Canelo Alvarez has doubled down on his $200 million request to fight David Benavidez.
Canelo boxes Edgar Berlanga on September 14 as he defends his WBC, WBA and WBO belts at 168. He is no longer undisputed after being stripped of his IBF belt for not fighting his mandatory William Scull. Meanwhile, Benavidez said he would now campaign at 175. This was after having been the WBC mandatory at 168 for over two years.
His last fight was a win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175, as he became mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. They will box on October 12 for undisputed. Before this, Canelo demanded $200 million for the Benavidez fight. That was seen as a way for Canelo to price himself out. But the Mexican has now clarified his comments and explained that the terms had to be right before the bout is made.
Canelo’s Demand
“Obviously, he is a risk. He is a great fighter and plus, he brings to the ring on fight night 25 pounds more than me, but I don’t care about that. If the money is right, I can beat that guy tomorrow,” Canelo said
Outside of Benavidez, Canelo has been linked with other fights. His trainer, Eddie Reynoso, has said Alvarez could box in Japan if he beats Berlanga. Any such fight would take place in December. Manny Pacquiao faced Rukiya Anpo in a three-round exhibition last month. Ryan Garcia then confirmed that he would be fighting Manny in Japan.
“I was [in Japan figuring out] a fight date with Manny Pacquiao. Yeah, I’m going to fight him. This is the first time that it’s ever been announced. Yeah, it’s an exhibition. I am fighting Manny Pacquiao guys, let’s get it. It’s coming soon, I’m trying to work on [a date]. It will be at end of the year for sure. So, I’m trying to get more focused, stop drinking, and stop doing a lot of the [stuff] I was doing,” Garcia said
Now, it appears Canelo could follow in the same direction.
“Team Canelo told me that they are not close to the offers that Turki [Alalshikh] makes, but if they beat [Edgar] Berlanga in September, as they hope, Canelo could fight in Japan in December. The plan is to go beyond the American continent,” Salvador Rodriguez said
Canelo On Crawford
Alternatively, reports indicate that the Saudis wanted to make Canelo fight Terence Crawford. Canelo initially dismissed the fight by saying he would get no credit for beating a 147-pound fighter. Crawford has just come off a win against Israil Madrimov in his first fight at 154 pounds. After his win, Crawford said he was willing to box Canelo if the money was right. But now, the Saudis have distanced themselves from that fight.
“Just wrapped up an important meeting now with my team, planning for the upcoming fights that we will make for 2024-2025. I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore,” Turki Alalshikh said
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