Is he the face of boxing? Yes. But is he fighting the absolute best? There are questions and doubts about it now. Canelo Alvarez and his seat at the top of the 168-pound division have been called into question. Primarily for avoiding the man whom many believe could topple him, David Benavidez. But why is the Mexican champion not meeting him inside the squared circle? That’s what Roy Jones Jr. answers.

Alvarez, 34, has denied the fight with Benavidez, 27, for a long time now, despite the latter being the WBC interim champion for two years and having a legitimate claim at him. While few believed it was Benavidez’s power and heavy-handed punches that threatened the champion, some attributed it to his size advantage. But what exactly is it?

Jones Jr., 55, sat down with Fight Hub TV, and he focused on Alvarez, at 61-2-2, and his upcoming fight with Edgar Berlanga. It was natural that the host squeezed in a question about Benavidez. The former world champion then explained Benavidez, at 29-0, had the hunger, relied on volume punching, had good stamina, and also carried the weight advantage. Not to mention ‘The Mexican Monster’s solid chin.

Jones Jr. said, “Right now is the wrong time to fight Benavidez. Because he’s a hungry lion, who throws a lot of punches. Who we haven’t really seen hurt, yet. Who has a very good gas tank and who’s big for the weight class.”

“Everything that Canelo don’t want to see, David Benavidez is that. That don’t mean that David Benavidez is going to beat him. But everything that Canelo don’t want to see right now, David Benavidez is that,” he added.

‘Superman’ neatly summed up Benavidez’s qualities, which made him a force to be reckoned with at 168. Interestingly, Benavidez has already ventured to 175 in a quest to forge his path and now fights himself a fight away from fighting for undisputed glory. However, Alvarez continues to receive flak for not giving Benavidez his title fight.

Oscar De La Hoya blasts Canelo Alvarez for avoiding David Benavidez

Oscar De La Hoya recently called shots at the Guadalajara native for brushing aside Benavidez and demanding $200 million for making it happen. The promoter believed Alvarez priced himself out of the fight by doing this. He declared, “Canelo not wanting to fight Benavidez and outpricing himself… 200 million dollars? You’re crazy. You are crazy. In other words, you don’t want to fight him.”

With Benavidez finding a new life at 175 and giving away his WBC mandatory against Alvarez, it is hard to stage the fight between the two now. There is enough fans demand to do it but it depends on other factors now.

What do you make of these comments by Roy Jones Jr. about David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez? Let us know in the comments below.