If there is one fight the boxing world would like to see now, it is a clash of super-middleweights, David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez. But, as hyped as the fight is, the negotiations are underway before the fight is actually confirmed. Meanwhile, the former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has revealed his prediction for this potential fight. It is not something every boxing fan will agree with.
When asked about his favorite boxers, the former heavyweight champion started off with the 168-lb weight division, named ‘El Bandera Roja’, and elaborated on the reason.
Mike Tyson reveals why he picks David Benavidez over Canelo Alvarez
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‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’ appeared on a podcast episode with BoxingArabia and backed Benavidez to wipe out the competition at 168 lbs. The 56-year-old said, “There’s Benavidez. That’s my guy. Benavidez is my guy. I think he could beat everybody in the division.” He further revealed what would happen if Benavidez and super middleweight king Alvarez met in the squared circle,
Despite favoring the 26-year-old for this potential fight, Tyson showed the admiration he has for ‘Cinnamon.’ Tyson said, “I love Canelo. He’s not gonna beat him.” This may seem a tad surprising, but ‘Iron’ Mike backed his comment with a reason.
Tyson further said that Alvarez is “a little bit past his prime” and aired his belief that Benavidez can beat the man that handed Alvarez only his second defeat. This remark came almost a year after Alvarez’s 16-fight undefeated streak was halted by Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
While Alvarez did rebound in style and clinched his trilogy against ‘GGG’, Tyson doesn’t seem to believe Saul can retain his throne. An Alvarez-Benavidez fight is not on the cards, but Saul is set to defend his super middleweight belts against John Ryder on May 6 in his hometown.
Fans React to Mike Tyson’s Prediction
One user believes that there is no doubt in the fact that Alvarez cannot beat David Benavidez. He wrote, “It is more than obvious that he will never win; that is why he does not face him.”
Another user thinks that Alvarez knows how to manage his boxing “business,” and many people envy him. He commented, “The mere see…….a, it’s Canelo, he knows how to manage his boxing business and as a businessman that’s also why many envy him.“
According to a user, the undisputed super middleweight champion is just ‘turning Benavidez around’. He wrote, “It’s true, but Canelo is turning Benavidez around; it’s the truth.”
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One user believes that Alvarez will undoubtedly be salty about Tyson’s prediction. He wrote, “SURELY CINNAMON IS GOING TO SAY THAT TYSON IS ENVY OF HIM AND THAT A MEXICAN IS ANOTHER MEXICAN’S WORST ENEMY.”
Another user thinks that Alvarez squints every time he hears the name “Benavidez.” He commented, “That’s why Canelo squinted when he heard the name Benavidez.”
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Do you agree with Mike Tyson’s prediction? Let us know in the comments.
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