Why Canelo Alvarez should choose David Benavidez over Jermall Charlo for Cinco De Mayo weekend?

Spoiler alert: it’s not David Benavidez. If you are a boxing fan and you want to see exciting challengers endeavoring to take down the champions on the throne, you might have to look away. Why? Canelo Alvarez has reportedly picked Jermall Charlo for his annual Cinco de Mayo fight on May 4. Whether you endorse and cheer for the Mexican champion or not, it might turn out to be the biggest mistake he commits.

While the right belonged to the ‘Mexican Monster,’ it’s all business as usual. The undisputed super middleweight champion last fought Jermell Charlo in September and has now moved to pick apart another Charlo. The elder one this time. Despite the fight having a storyline of revenge, it’s not something fans haven’t seen before.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermall Charlo: Comes too late with a predictable script

Yes, Canelo Alvarez and the elder of the Charlo twins should have fought. But that was when they were in the same division. That ship sailed away a long time ago when the 60-2-2 record holder moved up to 168 lbs. Moreover, Jermall Charlo hasn’t done anything in recent years that mandates a super fight with Alvarez.

When Alvarez cruised to victory against Jermell Charlo, the rumors of a redemption fight with Jermall gained traction. After all, it was Jermall Charlo who had bagged the contract first but allowed his younger brother to mint money. But ‘Hitman’ has only fought one in the last three years.

Jermall Charlo suffers from ring rust and didn’t look promising in his comeback against Jose Benavidez Jr. last November. The fight is an odd choice, considering his mental health struggles and ring rust issues. Fans are simply not interested in a fight with a predictable outcome. While he is the better boxer of the twins, he never fought at 168 pounds. His bigger frame and 3-inch reach advantage would give him no edge, as fighting at 168 would be an alien feeling for him. The fans would have appreciated Alvarez fighting someone from the ranks instead of importing a champion from a small weight class.

Fighting an outsider, again

When you have the likes of Jaime Munguia and especially David Benavidez, why would you pick someone from a division below? But that’s the pattern Alvarez has fallen into since clinching the undisputed crown. He fought past his prime, John Ryder, and followed up with a fight with Jermell Charlo.

While the WBC middleweight champion is a minor upgrade over his last two fights, it falls short of fans’ expectations. In addition, it stagnates the progress of young fighters and blocks the path to the top. However, that’s the route the PBC chalked out for Alvarez when the latter penned a three-fight contract. A revenge match with one of the Charlo twins, leaving the meat for the last fight. But what if fans lose faith in Alvarez? What if the fans are tired of waiting? What if the boogeyman of the 168-pound division gets tired and moves up?

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That’s the scenario neither the PBC nor anyone from Alvarez’s camp might have given serious thought to. David Benavidez is the fight fans and pundits want to see. It is the biggest fight to make in the boxing world right now. But it seems the PBC and Alvarez have missed the trick.

The tipping point for the David Benavidez fight

What separates David Benavidez from the rest? The Mexican fighter goes for the kill as soon as the bell rings. His explosive boxing style is fan-friendly. More importantly, he is the legitimate challenger to the 33-year-old champion’s throne.

Benavidez has been the current WBC interim champion for almost two years and is waiting for his shot at the title. His patience is running thin, as are the fans’. He has even suggested venturing out to fight the likes of Dmitry Bivol if Alvarez doesn’t give him his due. The hottest fight in the boxing world should have been made in May. The longer you sit on opportunities to cash in on these, the more chances there are that you are going to regret it.

Read More: “He’ll Do Anything to Stay Away”: Jose Benavidez Sr. Calls Out “Scared” Canelo Alvarez for Avoiding David Benavidez Fight, Demands Sanctioning Bodies to Be Fair

What do you make of this upcoming fight between Canelo Alvarez and Jermall Charlo? Do you believe Alvarez should have picked David Benavidez instead? Let us know in the comments below.