In the fiercely kinetic world of boxing, narratives change with each passing bout, and champions find new mountains to conquer. Canelo Alvarez, David Benavidez, and Jermell Charlo: three marquee names, yet a string of unanswered challenges. The script was going as foreseen, with Alvarez slated to combat Charlo in a bout exuding firework guarantees. But suddenly, the WBC flips the script, putting Benavidez in Alvarez’s boxing vista. A rivalry unexplored, an eight-figure offer, and a ring awaiting to quench its thirst for this Mexican standoff.
But amid the orchestrated chaos, Alvarez focused on Charlo, while Benavidez became a fleeting image in his rearview. A display of tactical evasion or a mere adherence to the Mexican boxing ethos? The saga continues, yet the question looms larger with every punch Alvarez throws at Charlo in the ring. The world waits in anticipation: Is the battle against Benavidez a road Alvarez dares to tread?
Is David Benavidez mandatory for Canelo Alvarez after the Jermell Charlo fight?
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As the boxing ring brims with anticipation for the clash between Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo, another formidable figure emerges from the shadows—David Benavidez. The WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, has unveiled the roadmap for Alvarez, marking Benavidez as his next mandatory challenger in a conversation with Gambling.com.
Sulaiman’s precise words were, “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.” This revelation places an interesting twist in Alvarez’s journey, shedding light on what might follow the high-stakes bout with Charlo.
Benavidez, having secured his position after triumphing over Caleb Plant, has been steadfast in his desire to challenge Alvarez. His intentions were made abundantly clear post his March victory. Yet Alvarez shifted focus towards Charlo, leaving the fervent Benavidez awaiting his chance.
With Sulaiman’s disclosure, a fresh narrative unfolds. The looming question now—will Alvarez take on Benavidez post-Charlo fight, or will the captivating duel continue to elude the boxing aficionados?
What reasons did Canelo give in the past for ducking Benavidez?
In the bustling realm of boxing, accusations of evasion are not uncommon. The narrative entwines Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez in this way. In past discourse, Alvarez has addressed the chatter around allegedly ducking Benavidez, attributing it to the habitual rhetoric of doubters.
During an interview with ‘The Breakfast Club,’ Alvarez candidly brushed off such claims. He reminisced about similar allegations throughout his career, stating, “Everybody says the same thing all my life,” when discussing perceived dodging of Benavidez. He reflected on past matchups, mentioning how critics accused him of ducking Austin Trout, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Erislandy Lara among others. Alvarez highlighted a persistent narrative that follows every victory—he’s accused of ducking another fighter.
Alvarez vehemently stated, “I’m ducking nobody. I’ve been in this position a lot of times so I just do the fights that I think are best for the fans.” His stance is clear, prioritizing fan-centric matchups over pandering to critics.
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Furthermore, Alvarez hinted at a cautious approach towards future fights, explaining during the interview, “We’re 100 percent focused on this fight and then we’ll see.” The conversation also broached his three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions, offering a glimpse into Alvarez’s strategic planning.
Alvarez’s past denials of ducking Benavidez now stand juxtaposed to the WBC President’s recent announcement, reigniting discussions. As Alvarez prepares for Jermell Charlo, he confronts the lingering ghosts of past allegations, which will soon be debunked or validated.
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After the Jermell Charlo fight, will Alvarez pivot towards a new narrative and face Benavidez, or will he navigate towards a different trajectory altogether? So, what do you think?
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