Fans Target Canelo Alvarez and WBC as David Benavidez Announces Move to 175 Lbs

It is rare to see someone as great as Canelo Alvarez, evidently ducking a fight against someone. That someone is none other than the undefeated former two-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez. Now that the Mexican Monster is not fighting Canelo, his next fight is fixed to be against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, but not at his usual 168 lbs.

After being unable to secure the fight against Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez is moving up in weight to 175 lbs in order to fight Gvozdyk. This comes after Benavidez’s father had recently revealed that Alvarez was offered $55 Million just to face Benavidez. However, according to Benavidez Sr., he refused to give his interim champion a shot at the title. WBC, the organization sanctioning the event, made an official post about the upcoming fight between Benavidez and Gvozdyk. As expected, the post was met with insurmountable backlash.

Artur Beterbiev’s former opponent will now face David Benavidez

According to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, the bout would be for the interim light heavyweight title. The winner would then be ready to face the winner of the undisputed title match between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on June 1. A match against either Bivol or Beterbiev, though not as enticing as a match against Canelo, will at least give Benavidez a shot at being an undisputed champion in another weight class.

The post by the WBC did not give much information other than the fact that the fight was approved and more information will soon follow. This will be Gvozdyk’s first fight since September, in which he finished Isaac Rodrigues in just two rounds. After losing to Beterbiev in June 2020, Gvozdyk first announced his retirement from the sport; nevertheless, he later resumed his career in 2023. Since making his comeback, he has won all three of his fights. While realistically, Gvozdyk seems like a very formidable opponent, fans think David Benavidez was cheated out of a title fight.

Fans tear down WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

While some fans genuinely shared their excitement over the matchup, most seemed disappointed.

“They keep protecting Canelo.the WBC needs to do better it’s all about money instead of making the champions fight,” wrote one fan, insinuating that the WBC has been protecting Canelo Alvarez from Benavidez because of the money he brings in.

Another wrote, “I think it’s clear Canelo has no interest in fighting David, so he’s best moving on. I like this fight,” wrote a fan, appreciating the new fight after the failed attempt to get a fight against Alvarez.

“Mauricio Sulaiman will do anything to prevent David Benavidez from beating up his son Canelo,” said one fan, taking shots at WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman for not stepping in and forcing Canelo’s hand.

A user also commented, “Good because @canelo is too scared to fight the king of 168 @benavidez300,” hinting that a move to 175 lbs is a better plan since Canelo is refusing to give Benavidez a shot at the title.

One fan simply wrote, “This whole situation is just weird,” expressing their thoughts on Benavidez attempting to challenge the undisputed super middleweight champion but ultimately ending up in a fight against a person who is not even from his own weight class.

Read More: Boxing Update: David Benavidez Leaves Canelo Alvarez Behind, Moves to 175, Opponent Revealed

With Benavidez now fighting against Gvozdyk and then possibly against Beterbiev or Bivol, do you think we will see him lose for the first time? Or will he stay undefeated throughout? Do let us know your thoughts down below.