David Benavidez’s chances of becoming Canelo Alvarez’s next opponent have significantly increased after the Mexican superstar dismissed the idea of defending his undisputed super middleweight championship against Terence Crawford on May 4th.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) is Canelo’s mandatory challenger at 168 pounds and is seen as the most lucrative fight for him financially. PBC, who are paying Canelo a substantial amount for his May 4th bout, need to ensure they choose a suitable opponent who will generate the necessary revenue to justify their significant investment.
Has Benavidez Damaged his Relationship?
However, this does not guarantee that Canelo will select Benavidez, especially considering the complaints made by Benavidez and his father, Jose Sr., about not being given the opportunity to fight Alvarez.
Furthermore, some view Benavidez as a weight bully, a cruiserweight who struggles to make the 168-pound limit and hopes to secure a massive payday against Canelo.
For Benavidez, fighting smaller opponents like Canelo is more appealing than risking his safety by facing fighters his own size at cruiserweight, such as Jai Opetaia, who could potentially cause significant damage.
Canelo’s Limited Alternatives
If Canelo is displeased with the idea of facing Benavidez, he will have to choose someone else for his May 4th fight. However, his options are limited since he has already stated that his next opponent will be American.
Fighters previously considered as potential opponents for Canelo on May 4th
Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) recently announced that he will not be fighting another Mexican boxer next, ruling out Jaime Munguia as a possibility.
Jermall Charlo, another fighter who was believed to be a potential opponent for Canelo, revealed on Instagram this week that he has not communicated with his manager, Al Haymon, since his last fight, and there have been no discussions about a match against Alvarez.
“I have everything to lose and nothing to gain because if I win, they’ll say, ‘Oh, he was too small,” Canelo stated to BoxAzteca, effectively shutting down any possibility of a fight between him and welterweight Terence Crawford.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com