Canelo Alvarez Demands $200 Million for David Benavidez Fight: Fair Play or Delusion?

Everyone has a price, and it seems Canelo Alvarez has one too. But unlike others, he demands a nine-figure payout to step into the squared circle against anyone, even the one he supposedly continues to avoid. The Mexican champion has recently clarified the only condition on which he is ready to meet David Benavidez. A paycheck of $150–200 million. But is he deliberately putting a number no one can match? Or does the super middleweight champion warrant such a huge amount to equate to the risk he would take stepping into the ring?

Alvarez, 33, has ignored Benavidez, 27, who has been the Interim WBC champion and Canelo’s mandatory for almost two years now. The undisputed champion never entertained the option, as the challenger didn’t fit his vision. Meanwhile, the fans want Alvarez to defend his throne against a powerful and exciting fighter, who could muscle his way to victory against Alvarez. It seems Canelo has followed in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather, and now, it’s all about business.

Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez: pricing out ‘Mexican Monster’?

What does Benavidez, at 28-0 with 24 KOs, bring to the table? His explosiveness, his fan-friendly boxing style, and the urge to finish the fight early. These are the reasons that make his fight with Alvarez interesting. The fans want to witness how an excellent counter-puncher like Alvarez would fend off nasty and powerful blows from Benavidez. However, that’s not it.

The hype surrounding the fight is soaring, and you could argue the super middleweight champion wants to bank on it. He wants a similar buildup and interest in what Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao had. He has employed a similar marketing strategy to beef up his bank account. Smart plan, but there is a flaw.

‘The Mexican Monster’ is nowhere as popular as ‘PacMan’, and no promoter would shell out this much money to pay the champion to defend his marbles. Despite the allure, the fight, in all probability, can’t shatter Mayweather and Pacquiao’s record and rack up $600 million in revenue to ensure promoters go home with loaded pockets. Therefore, you could make an argument against Alvarez that he is pricing himself out of the Benavidez fight, as no promoter or current boxer could pump that much money into the fight. Moreover, even a million PPV buys won’t make up for the payroll Alvarez is demanding. So, has he intentionally decided to make it all about the money and sideline the fans’ demands?

Money bags over legacy and fans

Does the Guadalajara native need to fight Benavidez? Hasn’t he earned the right to choose his opponent, as debated by Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.? It doesn’t seem so. He is still the champion, and he needs to fight the mandatory challenger to defend his title. But the WBC has been flexible with how they manage their champions and their mandatory. Unless WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman forces the fight, fans may never see Alvarez vs. Benavidez. However, such an intervention seems unlikely.

In addition, the proposition by Alvarez appears to be shoddy. Why? While he has collected $550 million in career earnings, he has never been paid $100 million for a single fight. His biggest payday came in his trilogy fight against Gennadiy Golovkin, as he pocketed $55 million, with total earnings topping off close to $100 million.

Read More: “I Offer to You $150 to $200 Million”: Canelo Alvarez Denies to Make Any Offer for David Benavidez Fight, Reveals the Only Condition to Face Him

So asking for double that rate is not likely to go down with the fans, who would see it as a clear ploy by Alvarez to cut Benavidez as his probable opponent. But what if someone is willing to shell out that much money to bring Alvarez to their soil? What if Alvarez is letting the anticipation build more and then looking to bank on it?

Can the Saudis put the money on the table and force the champ?

Yes, Riyadh has both the power and money to play the matchmaker in arguably one of the hottest fights in boxing right now. They have made Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev possible and made Anthony Joshua exchange punches with Francis Ngannou despite Joshua’s initial reluctance. Will they be willing to pay this much to ensure the face of boxing brings eyeballs to Riyadh? The answer is a resounding yes.

In this process, everyone becomes a winner. Saudi Arabia gets the biggest man in boxing, Alvarez gets his asking price, and Benavidez gets his man. However, is it possible? Yes, but it might take a while and some hard negotiations. That’s the only way Alvarez’s delusion turns into fair play.

Also Read: “It’s Very Interesting Fight But”: Sparred With David Benavidez and Defeated Canelo Alvarez Earlier, Dmitry Bivol Sheds Light on How Possible Saul vs Benavidez Fight Would Go Now

What do you make of this astronomical demand by Canelo Alvarez? Do you believe he has put in this demand to price out David Benavidez or is it a fair ask? Let us know in the comments below.