Stephen A. Smith Slams Canelo For Ducking Benavidez – ‘I’m Pretty Pi***d Off’
Stephen A. Smith has warned Canelo Alvarez to not fight Jermall Charlo next.
The Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion has not fought since he beat Jermell Charlo via a unanimous decision last year. Charlo jumped up two weight divisions from 154 pounds. The extra weight did not help in the fight as Charlo failed to trouble Alvarez.
Canelo was able to walk Charlo down, dropping him in the fight to take an easy win. In the aftermath, Canelo claimed he was back to his best, saying no one could beat this version of him. Before facing Jermell, Canelo was linked with facing Jermall. But Jermall was not ready to get in the ring following his struggle with mental health problems that kept him out of the ring for more than two years.
On his return, Jermall faced Jose Benavidez Jr, beating him unanimously. But given the ease with which Alvarez beat Jermell, boxing fans won’t be on board with watching a fight with Jermall. That is the concern Smith had over that fight.
Smith On Canelo
“I’m pretty pi**ed off. I’m very very pi**ed off about this. I don’t like it at all. First of all Charlo, and I’m assuming this is the natural middleweight Charlo, not the Charlo Canelo just beat. This guy openly, I root for him Shannon Sharpe, I truly do, but he’s had some personal issues which is why he’s been away from the boxing game for so many years. Canelo Alvarez, how many fights are you going to have before you avoid giving Benavidez the chance he so richly deserves? I’m really ticked off about it. It ain’t right! It ain’t right,” Smith said
Those comments were backed up by Eddie Hearn. There is pressure on Canelo to face only one name, David Benavidez. The Mexican Monster is the current WBC Super Middleweight Interim Champion, who has been in a mandatory position for over a year. In his last two fights, he has beaten Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade, both former world champions, showing he is facing elite-level competition.
Fans have demanded a Canelo-Benavidez fight on Cinco De Mayo Weekend or Mexican Independence Day. Hearn recognized that this was a huge fight. But he also suggested Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga as two alternative opponents. Munguia and Berlanga fight on DAZN, making it a win-win situation for Hearn.
Hearn On Canelo
“I just don’t like the [Jermall] Charlo fight [for Canelo]. It doesn’t do numbers like the first fight against the other brother. The fight [against Jermell last September] was a non-event, and Charlo has been out for two years,” Hearn said
Canelo has two fights left on his PBC deal following the Charlo fight. If he desires to face Benavidez, then now is the time since they are both under PBC. There is a risk if Canelo chooses to fight Benavidez on Mexican Independence Day. That will likely be the third fight of his deal, meaning a loss to Benavidez leaves no guarantee of a rematch. But by taking the fight on Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Canelo could insert a rematch clause for Mexican Independence Day.
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