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Image Credits- Imago
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via Imago
Image Credits- Imago
On Sunday, David Benavidez and David Morrell put on a clinic that will be remembered as one of the best fights of the year. The bout lived up to the hype as the Mexican Monster edged past his Cuban opponent via a unanimous decision victory. With a score of 115-111, 115-111, and 118-108, the 30-0 boxer is now the next challenger for the winner of the February 22nd Beterbiev-Bivol rematch.
However, other than securing the undisputed titles at 175 lbs, there is one fight that David Benavidez desperately wants. The new WBA (Regular) light heavyweight and ‘Interim’ WBC light heavyweight champion, has been asking for a fight against Canelo Alvarez for years. However, even after being the top-ranked challenger in 168 lbs, Canelo didn’t seem interested.
Canelo Alvarez went as far as to demand $150 million to even consider the fight. In a recent interview with Ring Magazine, the unified 168-pound champion claimed that he rejected Benavidez’s challenge because of the disrespect their camp showed him. “I don’t like the way he approaches for taking the fight,” Canelo remarked. However, it looks like Bandera Roja is in no mood to pay heed to the suggestion, as he hit back at Canelo Alvarez during the post-match press conference.
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David Benavidez’s sly dig
An interviewer asked Benavidez, “Do you feel like this victory would bring you closer to Canelo fight or maybe not?” With an annoyed look on his face, the Mexican Monster replied that even he has no idea and is now sick of answering the same question over and over again. “I don’t know bro. You guys keep asking me about that fight and I know as much as you guys,” exclaimed Benavidez. He “would love to fight Canelo,” given the scale of the fight but he can’t make it happen alone.
Benavidez on the Canelo fight.
— BOXING n BBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) February 2, 2025
The Phoenix native mentioned how Canelo Alvarez is preparing for other fights before inserting a slight dig. “He says I’m being too mean. The way I am approaching him. I guess I am gonna work on my attitude,” stated Benavidez as the conference room erupted in laughter.
However, rather than changing his attitude, David Benavidez has a plan that will undoubtedly lure Canelo Alvarez into a fight.
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Benavidez’s new plan to lure Canelo Alvarez
Ahead of his February 1 bout, the 30-0 boxer sat down with Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson on the Nightcap podcast. During the conversation, the Phoenix native explained the only way that Canelo Alvarez would accept a fight with him now.
“I am going to predict the future right here. The only way I see this fight happening is me winning all the belts at light heavyweight, winning all the undisputed titles. Then me and Canelo fight at the catch weight of 172 or 173 for the 168-pound titles and the 175-pound titles,” stated Benavidez while revealing his plan.
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The 28-year-old thinks that the raised stakes will make the fight “a hundred times bigger” and will entice Canelo Alvarez into accepting the fight. Given the result of the David Morrell fight, it looks like David Benavidez’s plan started off on the right note.
But at this point, it looks like the dream Mexican bout is getting farther away with each passing day. Furthermore, the Ring Magazine interview has hurt Canelo Alvarez far more than David Benavidez. It has also given the impression that the Guadalajara native is ducking David Benavidez.
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Debate
Is Canelo Alvarez ducking David Benavidez, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
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Is Canelo Alvarez ducking David Benavidez, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
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