Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe asserts that a bout between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez holds more significance than one involving the Mexican superstar against Terence Crawford.
According to Ellerbe, a clash between the undefeated WBC interim super middleweight champion Benavidez and the undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo would generate greater excitement. This viewpoint is supported by many boxing enthusiasts who have long been advocating for Canelo to face Benavidez, believing that the latter has the potential to dethrone the current king of the super middleweight division.
In contrast, the 36-year-old unified welterweight champion Crawford has only recently gained popularity following his fight against Errol Spence Jr. last July. Some attribute the success of that contest on Showtime PPV to Crawford’s skill and prowess in the ring.
Ellerbe further breaks down his argument by highlighting the factors that have hindered Crawford’s popularity. One of these factors is his inactivity since defeating Spence, despite having the opportunity to capitalize on his victory. While Crawford has been waiting for a rematch with Spence, this period of inactivity has not worked in his favor.
Comparatively, Benavidez enjoys a higher level of popularity among fans, which can be attributed to his fighting style that is more appealing to the audience. Crawford, on the other hand, is known for his counter-punching technique and evasive movements when facing opponents with power.
Taking a broader perspective, if the fight between Canelo and Benavidez were to materialize, the combination of Benavidez’s size, work rate, power, and youth would pose a significant challenge for Canelo. As for the 36-year-old Crawford, he is believed to be nearing retirement and is merely biding his time to secure a fight against Canelo. If this matchup fails to materialize, Crawford will likely retire soon.
However, recent reports suggesting that Canelo may leave PBC due to financial reasons cast doubt on the possibility of a fight between him and Benavidez. Should Canelo move on, it would likely extinguish any hope of the dream fight between him and Benavidez.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com