Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez Inches Away Further as IBF Issues New Order for Next Opponent

Looks like David Benavidez has got to face the music: a bout with Canelo Alvarez isn’t looking too promising at this point. Coupled with the fact that the IBF has now ordered the Mexican superstar to face a new opponent, the much debated Benavidez vs. Canelo fight is all but in the gutters. However, the question is, if not Benavidez, then who? 

Just the other day, Canelo Alvarez defeated his Mexican counterpart, Jaime Munguia, via a unanimous decision in a fight that showcased how Canelo still got it. The undisputed champion even exchanged some verbal jabs with Benavidez after the fight, a clip of which had gone viral, giving fans hope that the fight might be in the cards. However, an X post from talkSPORT editor Michael Benson regarding Canelo’s next opponent seems to have dashed all the hopes. 

Canelo Alvarez has 28 days to finalize the deal with this boxer

Yesterday, Benson wrote on X that “The IBF have now officially ordered Canelo Alvarez to defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-middleweight world titles vs William Scull next.” “Parties have 28 days to agree [to a] deal, then purse bids,” Benson added. William Scull from Germany has been a mandatory challenger from the IBF for nearly two years, as AGON Sports & Events, Scull’s promoter, confirmed the Canelo fight on Tuesday. 

They wrote, “The IBF has ordered the fight between Canelo and William Scull. Both teams have 4 weeks to reach an agreement or it will go to [a] purse bid.” ‘El Indomable’ Scull became the mandatory contender after a unanimous decision win over Evgeny Shvedenko back in July 2022. Since then, the Cuban-born boxer has been on a tear, taking down three opponents, with his latest victory coming on May 5 against Sean Hemphill, even sharing the stage with Canelo on the same card.

Meanwhile, there hasn’t been any official statement from Canelo or his corner about the fight against Scull. However, he has reiterated his stance on the potential David Benavidez fight. 

Alvarez is okay with David Benavidez coming 25-30 pounds heavier 

Before the Munguia fight, when Canelo was asked about the potential fight against David Benavidez, which fans and pundits would love to see, the super middleweight champion simply said it would cost $200 million. People were outraged by the statement as they pushed more and more for the fight.

And now that Canelo defeated Munguia with relative ease, he has reiterated his demands. Per an X post from Benson, Canelo said, “The only thing I see is that Benavidez is 25 lbs or 30 lbs heavier than me on the day of the fight. I have no problem with that, but if he wants me to fight him, it’s $200million.”

At the end of the day, despite a collective push from the boxing world, David Benavidez won’t get the only fight he has been dreaming about for the longest time. However, he is moving to 175 pounds to face Oleksandr Gvozdyk, which could potentially put him in line for all the belts at 175. Do you think Canelo Alvarez would fight William Scull? What about the Benavidez fight? Let us know in the comments below.