WBC President Expects David Benavidez To Be Patient For Canelo Alvarez Fight
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman believes David Benavidez is happy to bide his time in hopes of securing a long-awaited bout with undisputed super-middleweight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Benavidez (28-0-0 24 KO) is the WBC’s interim champion at 168lbs and was among the leading names in the conversation to next face Canelo. But the champion, who holds all four belts in the division, has opted to face his WBO mandatory Jaime Munguia on May 4 in Las Vegas.
Benavidez will instead move up and make his light-heavyweight debut against former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, their bout scheduled for June 15, also in Las Vegas.
The American has frequently called out Canelo in the hopes of securing the biggest fight of his career, but his attempts have so far been successful.
Benavidez v Canelo ‘A Great Fight People Want To See’
Still, it’s the fight the boxing world wants to see more than any other and Benavidez represents arguably the Mexican’s toughest challenge.
“It’s a great fight that a lot of people want to see,” said Sulaiman of Canelo-Benavidez. “[David] Benavidez is moving up in weight to light heavyweight in June, and he will then decide which weight category he will continue in – whether he comes back to 168 [pounds] or he remains at 175.”
For a fight of this magnitude, there are plenty of moving parts that need to be settled; from venues and television networks to governing bodies and most importantly, fight purses.
Sulaiman said the WBC would provide any support required if and when negotiations take place, but warned fans that they will need to be patient.
Sulaiman Calls For Patience
“Yes, of course,” he said. “The thing is that the world has changed so much. Everything is so instant and immediate that there’s a rush for things to happen; sometimes they haven’t finalized that whole cycle.
“A big fight needs to take place at the right moment, at the right time, at the right scenario and [the right] conditions for the fighter. So I’m positive Benavidez is happy, Canelo is fighting May 4 [against Jaime Munguia], Benavidez is fighting in June, so we will see.”
The big problem boxing has faced for many years is when these mega fights take place. Either they’re at the right time or for the right money, and too often, those two factors are not the same.
Sulaiman agrees that now is the right time for Benavidez and Canelo to fight each other – as long as the money makes sense.
Benavidez And Canelo Expect The ‘Best Money’
“At the moment, for these two fighters, yes, at this level, the money they expect. … When they’re younger, trying to become champions, there’s unifications,” he said. “At this time … Canelo, Benavidez, they’re looking for the best scenario with the best money.”
While plenty of talk continues to surround a potential fight between Benavidez and Canelo in the future, both fighters have big challenges on the horizon.
Canelo is facing arguably his toughest opponent in two years – since losing to light-heavyweight world champion Dimitry Bivol – when he takes on the unbeaten Munguia in Las Vegas.
One month later, Benavidez takes on Gvozdyk, whose only defeat came against unified light-heavyweight king Artur Beterviev.
“Yeah, it can get in the way,” Sulaiman said of the May 4 fight. “Munguia is a top challenger. It’s going to be a great fight and he can get in the way of Canelo-Benavidez.”
