“It’s a Lose-Lose Situation”- Canelo Alvarez Gives His Unfiltered Take On David Benavidez’s Rehydration Clause Proposal

First, it was a demand of $150 million, now it’s a rehydration clause. David Benavidez seems to have exhausted all checkboxes to secure a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. The exciting fight is straying further away from the fans, and now the Mexican champion has issued reasons why signing favorable terms might go against him. What did he say in his defense?

The ‘Mexican Monster’ has been chasing the fight with the undisputed super middleweight champion for almost two years now. However, the concerns about his size advantage have been raised again and again as the reasons why Alvarez has shied away from accepting a fight with him. While Benavidez is willing to give up this advantage, it only puts the champion in a conundrum. He explained it when he sat down with Fight Hype.

Canelo Alvarez says he has done enough

Alvarez, 33, told Fight Hype that if he wins the showdown, his critics, especially Benavidez’s camp, will take refuge behind the excuse of a rehydration clause. He said, “When I beat him, they’re gonna say, ‘Oh, they put that clause.’ So, nothing to do with that fight.”

The 60-2-2 record holder continued, “It’s a lose-lose situation. Because after the fight, they are gonna talk, ‘Because of this’.” Notably, Benavidez, 27, stands 6’2″ tall compared to Canelo, who is 5’8″ and holds a four-inch reach advantage. Moreover, he is also a natural light heavyweight and is draining himself to make a weight at 168.

Following this, Alvarez also explained how he didn’t need to fight the WBC interim super middleweight champion merely because of the championship rules. Alvarez believes he has done enough to bag a “good” payout fighting anyone he desires. He added, “I can fight with any fighter and win good money. So I can do whatever I want in this time. I deserve it because I did everything in my career. I deserve to be in this position, and I’m going to do whatever I want.”

The decision of the Guadalajara native to fight Jaime Munguia on May 4 has attracted flak, as many want him to give Benavidez a title shot. However, Ryan Garcia believed it was a smart call by the super middleweight champion.

Ryan Garcia comes to Alvarez’s defense

‘KingRy’ broke down the situation and simplified that Alvarez took the fight as an assessment test. The American believes Munguia is a toned-down version of Benavidez. Depending on his performance, Alvarez could decide whether he wants to fight Benavidez.

“I think Canelo took that fight because (Munguia) is a less dangerous version of Benavidez. He’s very tall, he throws a lot of punches, but he’s not as good as Benavidez. I think this is a way for Canelo to test himself before he makes the decision to fight David,” Garcia told ES News.

It remains to be seen whether Alvarez will fight Benavidez and on what terms. Meanwhile, Benavidez has already decided to explore his options at 175 and will face Oleksandr Gvozdyk next, where a win might propel him into an undisputed title shot in the light heavyweight division.

What do you make of these comments by Canelo Alvarez? Do you believe a rehydration clause will ensure the fight goes through? Let us know in the comments below.