With Barely Weeks Left for Jermell Charlo Fight, WBC President’s Announcement Puts Canelo Alvarez in David Benavidez’s Hit List

To many fans with clear memories, the news might appear as a prophecy that could eventually come true. After all, even a tempting offer couldn’t lure Canelo Alvarez. But time, once again, proves itself the greatest arbitrator. It has seemingly brought the Mexican champion straight in front of the man who has been challenging him all along. Per the latest news, the WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, made it clear that David Benavidez would be Alvarez’s next opponent as the mandatory challenger.

After defeating Caleb Plant in March, ‘The Mexican Monster’ clarified his intentions. He wanted to fight Alvarez next. But the latter proved elusive. After the May title defense against John Ryder, he eventually moved on to a blockbuster fight that concludes next week. Benavidez also, on the other hand, seems to have moved on and might face Demetrius Andrade by November, per available reports.

A WBC message to shake up the Super Middleweight

So when asked about Canelo Alvarez’s options after the Jermell Charlo fight, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman reportedly told Gambling.com, “David Benavidez. He is the interim champion. He is [a] mandatory contender for the WBC. Benavidez’s term for the mandatory status is in March 2024. It will absolutely be a great fight.” Benavidez has been the (Interim) Super Middleweight champion since May last year.

It would be interesting for many fans looking forward to Alvarez’s response to the announcement. He has maintained a stance of not going against another Mexican boxer. Soon after scoring a unanimous win over Caleb Plant, Benavidez mentioned he would be happy to face Canelo Alvarez next. But the overtures never bore fruition for some reason or another.

David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez: The wheel comes around

The Benavidez camp even made an eight-figure offer. But the undisputed champion, at the time, seemed focused on the title defense and a possible rematch with Dmitry Bivol. The best part was that, while speaking to the media during the pre-fight conference, David Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., was asked, “Canelo doesn’t seem like he’s super motivated to have a fight with David. He always kind of like beats around the bush. Ah, we’ll see, uh, maybe what do you make of that, Jose?”

The veteran trainer replied, “If I was Canelo. If I was his trainer. I would do the same thing: I would run from the ‘Mexican Monster’, and I would try to ignore that, but at the end of the day, you know you can run, but you can’t hide. People want that fight.. he’s not going to be able to go to sleep until he fights David Benavidez….” Given the latest news, perhaps the father foresaw what the future had in store for his son.

How Canelo Alvarez’s camp takes the update, time will tell. He recently signed a three-fight deal worth $100 million with Al Haymon‘s PBC. The fight against Jermell Charlo is the first of the lot. He turned 33 this year, and many believe he may no longer be the fighter he used to be. Hence, going against a powerful hitter like David Benavidez might allow him to prove all naysayers wrong.

Read More: “Unless It’s David Benavidez, Floyd or Bivol”: Fans React as They Come Across a Motivational Message From Canelo Alvarez, Preparing Himself for the Battle of the Undisputed Champions

Did you expect the move to come so rapidly just when Alvarez is about to face one of his most formidable adversaries? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Date, Time, Venue, Tickets, and Livestream