Chavez Dismisses Claims Of Canelo Avoiding Benavidez
Julio Cesar Chavez has dismissed claims that Canelo Alvarez is ducking David Benavidez.
Alvarez is the current undisputed super middleweight champion, who recently beat Jermell Charlo via a unanimous decision. However, the decision to face the American raised a few eyebrows given that Charlo was moving up from 154 pounds. Not only that, but since Benavidez has been the WBC mandatory for over a year, the calls for the fight with Canelo were increasing. There were suggestions that Alvarez ducked the Mexican Monster, particularly since he remained coy over whether he would face Benavidez after the Charlo win. Nevertheless, Chavez did not see it that way.
Chavez On Canelo
“He is the challenger, sooner or later they will face each other. I don’t think Canelo Álvarez is afraid because no fighter is afraid of another opponent,” Chavez
As of now, the WBC has named Benavidez as the official challenger for Canelo which could set up a fight on Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day next year. And provided that Benavidez overcomes Demetrius Andrade on November 25th, 2023, boxing fans could finally see that happen.
But even if the fight does not happen, the Mexican Monster is the best super middleweight already according to the following boxer: Diego Pacheco is a fellow Mexican, who also happens to be Benavidez’s stablemate. Pacheco is the next star of boxing. The fighter has a deal with Matchroom Boxing. And as part of that process, Pacheco is currently undefeated with a record of 19-0. And 16 of those wins have come by way of knockout. In doing so, Pacheco has stopped his last eight opponents. As for Benavidez, who is heavy-handed, Pacheco said the Mexican Monster is the future of the 168-pound division.
Pacheco On Canelo
“In my eyes, I feel that David Benavidez is the best 168-pound fighter in the world. David is a fighter who is a lot hungrier than Canelo. He throws a lot more punches and he’s an aggressive fighter who also has a lot of skills. I see him in the gym. He’s constantly working on everything as well as perfecting the little things.
“It’s funny because you have some of Canelo’s sparring partners come to Seattle to work with us and they are like, ‘Man, this is why Canelo doesn’t want to fight you David because you’re the f***ing Mexican Monster. You’re a beast. You’re too much,” Pacheco stated
Ultimately, the only way to decide who is the best of this era is to put the pair up against each other. But based on what we have seen so far, getting the fight made has not been easy. Benavidez has indicated his desire to move up to 175 moving forward. Meanwhile, Canelo’s failure to fight the Mexican Monster may cast a negative light on his legacy. So either way, the fight needs to happen sooner or later. And there is no getting away from that.
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