David Benavidez’s promoter is disappointed about Canelo Alvarez not giving his fighter an opportunity to face him in 2024.
The undefeated Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) now has to decide whether to continue investing time and effort, waiting for a chance to fight Canelo and the significant financial gain that would come with it, or move up to the light heavyweight or cruiserweight divisions.
Alternative Paths Beyond Canelo
Benavidez does not rely on Canelo to achieve stardom. Here are potential routes for the 27-year-old if he possesses the courage required to confront them:
Considering Benavidez’s considerable size, a move up to the heavyweight division is certainly a viable option. He surpasses Oleksandr Usyk in size and can easily transition to heavyweight if he possesses the bravery.
There is substantial money to be made for Benavidez if he moves up to heavyweight, but it would entail taking risks.
If Benavidez remains at 168 and continues to struggle with weight, he may be wasting his time if he believes that Canelo will eventually agree to fight him.
Time Squandered or Fear Factor?
Remaining at 168 may prove futile for Benavidez unless he lacks the self-assurance to move up to 175 or 200 and face opponents of similar stature. If fear is what keeps Benavidez at 168, opting to fight smaller opponents rather than those in his weight class at light heavyweight, cruiserweight, or heavyweight, he may find himself on a dead-end path, making no progress.
Undoubtedly, Benavidez would no longer possess the significant size advantage that has been a constant throughout his career at 168. However, it would become easier for him to secure fights.
The only difference is that there is no fighter comparable to Canelo in either of those weight classes. Nevertheless, Benavidez has managed well without that lucrative opportunity thus far, so nothing changes if he moves up in weight.
The only difference is that Benavidez would no longer rely on his size advantage and would have to rely on his talent to secure victories against opponents of similar stature.
“Canelo’s reputation will be tarnished because he did not face the best fighter at this time, which is Benavidez. I believe that someday, his children or grandchildren will question why he did not fight Benavidez,” stated Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, to ProBox_TV.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com