Canelo Harming Boxing By Pretending Benavidez Is No Big Deal
This coming May 4, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KO’s) will tussle with former 154-pound champion Jaime Munguia. Yet, in what’s an increasing trend, no matter who Canelo is fighting, the inevitable question is always asked: When are you fighting David “The Monster” Benavidez (28-0, 24 KO’s)?!
Rather than give Benavidez his props as a two-time, undefeated world champion who is blazing his own trail, Canelo routinely shrugs it off like he’s an afterthought. In a recent interview on ESPN’s First Take, this same dynamic took place once again. Following a few obligatory questions about Munguia, the host of the program, Stephen A. Smith, questioned when Canelo was going to step to The Monster.
“If you see the history of my career, it’s always somebody there . . . the people say that, ‘I don’t want to fight this guy, I don’t want to fight this guy,’ and I fought all of them at that time! And you don’t put attention on the fight that I have in front [of me].”
A PEOPLE’S CHAMP WHO DEFIES THE PEOPLE?!
It’s important to bear in mind that Canelo is the undisputed champion. However, making the claim he’s earned the right to fight whoever he wants for the rest of his career is tantamount to taking all four belts hostage. It is the redhead saying that regardless of accomplishments, working up the rankings or achieving mandatory status, if he chooses not to compete, then those are the breaks.
This haughty attitude also applies to what the people demand as well. This is evidenced in Canelo’s turning a deaf ear to the cries of the boxing public who want to see him battle Benavidez, while at the same time labeling himself the people’s champion. That is a problem. The price of wearing the #1 headband is facing all comers until you step down or are knocked down.
When you won’t fight who earned the shot and you won’t fight who the people demand, and you want top dollar, then you begin making a mockery of the titles and the sport. At his stature in the game, Canelo doesn’t ‘need’ a belt to be in a “big fight.” So if he is not going to honor the responsibilities of a belt-holding champion, then is it time for Alvarez to give the belts up?
