In the pulsating world of professional boxing, emotions run high and ambitions burn even brighter. The two-time WBC Middleweight champion David Benavidez is not one to mince words.

He recently voiced his frustration and determination in a powerful statement regarding the ongoing chatter around a potential clash with Canelo Alvarez. He asked for Canelo’s title to be stripped away so he could fight instead. The call isn’t unheard of. Canelo’s title was stripped once before because he didn’t agree to fight mandatory against Kazakhstani boxer Gennady Golovkin.

Following Canelo’s win against Jermell Charlo, the Mexican native is yet to announce his next bout, which has irked the Middleweight champion. Subsequently, Benavidez has made some astonishing claims.

David Benavidez holds his ground

In what many hailed as a thrilling encounter, Benavidez acknowledged the efforts of his fellow pugilist, stating, “It was a good fight, bro. I am not going to discredit Canelo. He did what he had to do; he had to fight another undisputed champion, so he did what he had to do.” Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge Canelo faced, Benavidez showed sportsmanship, giving credit where it was due.

However, beneath the surface of sportsmanship lies a simmering frustration. Benavidez, rightfully confident in his abilities, expressed his longstanding desire to fight for the title.

In a bold demand directed at the WBC, Benavidez held his ground, saying, “I think they should do the right thing. If he doesn’t want to fight, they should strip him of the title.”

Benavidez also mentions that it is necessary to uphold your end when you are deemed a number one contender. Importantly, there have been a few voices questioning the functionality of the WBC not just from Benavidez, but multiple other champions.

Fighters Call for Reform

Just last month, Terence Crawford went on the record to call for UFC-esque reforms to boxing, i.e., all titles need to be defended, no excuses. Moreover, this underscores the UFC’s practice of pitting fighters against formidable opponents with little room for bargaining. He voiced his wish for a comparable framework in boxing, advocating for enhanced organization within sanctioning bodies.

This is to provide others with chances to contend for titles. In this scenario, Terence Crawford openly addressed Jermall Charlo. He withdrew from the Canelo fight citing “personal reasons.” Consequently, Charlo has retained his WBC Middleweight title for the past two years without any indications of defending it.

Besides his evaluation of Charlo, Crawford didn’t exempt Canelo Alvarez from his criticism. Despite acknowledging Canelo’s remarkable skills and accomplishments, he expressed discontent with Canelo’s frequent shifts in weight divisions, deeming it unjust.

Read More: “He Talking Sh*t”: Preparing to Fight David Benavidez, Demetrius Andrade Fires Back at Canelo Alvarez for “50–50 Fight” Remarks

As the boxing world watches and waits, Benavidez’s determination serves as a reminder of the passion that fuels this sport. His demand for fairness is not just a personal quest but a call for integrity within the sport of boxing. The ball is now in the court of the WBC, and fans worldwide eagerly await their decision. They hope that justice and the spirit of fair competition prevail in the end.

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