“I Want to See Him in Benavidez Fight”: Three Weight Division Champ Declines Canelo Alvarez Fight Offer at Catchweight

There is no end in sight for people wondering who Canelo Alvarez would fight next. Some top names hoping for a showdown are David Benavidez, Terence Crawford, and Jermall Charlo. Despite that, none of those potential fights have shown signs of life. In the meantime, a three-division champion, Badou Jack, has revealed why he rejected an offer from Canelo.

Canelo Alvarez will fight an American boxer on May 4 as part of his three-fight deal with Primer Boxing Championship. However, the identity of that fighter remains a well-guarded secret. However, ‘The Ripper’ Jack wants to see David Benavidez opposite Canelo, as he revealed in an interview with Fight Hype today. 

Canelo Alvarez was on the hunt for a cruiserweight title

During the interview, Jeff Zimmerman from Fight Hype brought up Canelo’s comment where he had claimed that there were still five years left in the tank for him. And since Jack wanted to fight him at some point, what were his thoughts? In response, ‘The Ripper’ claimed, “He loves boxing. I guess. We were supposed to fight for my cruiserweight title.”

Getting into the details of his failed negotiations with Canelo, Jack revealed that Canelo’s team wanted him to “fight [at] 180 pounds, and it can’t be more than five to ten pounds more the next day.” It did not sit well with Jack because, at that time, he weighed about 220 pounds, great for cruiserweight, and he did not want to cut down. So, Jack declined the fight offer. 

While explaining his mindset for declining the lucrative fight, he said, “I’m not going to make it, and I’m not desperate for money. I’m not just doing it for money, I’m gonna be like a crackhead. I’m gonna be weak [if I had taken that fight]. So, [I told them], ‘I can’t lose all that weight, especially since I’m the champion.’” said Badou. 

Also Read: Canelo Alvarez Shares His Life Mantra Amid Comeback Hype

Badou acknowledged the fact that Canelo was the “A-side, he’s the cash cow,” but Badou wasn’t willing to take that gamble. However, he still considered Canelo a legend of the sport and wanted to see someone else opposite to the fighter. “As a fan, I want to see him in [the] Benavidez fight,” Jack told Zimmerman. 

Badou Jack can wish for a fight between David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez all he wants. But ‘Cinnamon’ doesn’t seem too keen on taking hard opponents so close to his retirement! Despite that, Jack’s revelation about Canelo’s choice of opponents reveals that his May 4 opponent isn’t going to be anyone the fans want. Who do you think Canelo would fight on May 4? 

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