David Benavidez Can Move On From Canelo Alvarez And Still Shine
Two-time WBC 168-pound champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) has been chomping at the bits to get undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) in the ring with him. However, the face of boxing seems hell-bent on continuing to avoid the 26-year-old heavy-hitting former champion. Being a wanted man isn’t something new for the future Hall of Famer; two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade has been chasing a fight with Alvarez since the two were junior middleweights.
Benavidez is coming off perhaps the biggest win of his career in his grudge match with former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) back in March. Benavidez, who won the WBC Interim 168-pound title, immediately called for a fight with Alvarez. Most in the sport of boxing agree that is the best fight to be made at 168. Furthermore, Team Benavidez reportedly sent over a $50 million contract offer to Team Alvarez. Although that seemingly went into the File 13 pile. Following the lack of response, Benavidez taunted Alvarez by asking, “why are you scared of me?“.
TIME TO MOVE ON?
The two men are seemingly only getting further away from agreeing to a fight. Is it time for David Benavidez to give up on a Canelo Alvarez fight?
In this writer’s opinion, it is, at least temporarily. When you look at the super middleweight division, you see some very talented fighters that would make for excellent matchups with Benavidez. The aforementioned Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) would be a terrific fight, stylistically, as it would pit puncher against boxer. Then you have the ultra-talented WBA Regular champion David Morrell (9-0, 8 KOs), who’s on record stating he wants to face Benavidez next. Then lastly, a fight with unbeaten Edgar Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) is a potential option.
Regardless of what’s next for David Benavidez, it’s clear that a fight with Canelo Alvarez isn’t. And to be honest, that’s okay; there are a number of big fights that await him at his current weight class, and even eventually at light heavyweight.
