David Benavidez Considering Other Opportunities Now That Canelo is Off the Table
As 3kingsboxing.com previously reported, a fight between reigning undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) and two-time WBC 168-pound champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is not going to occur in 2023. Team Benavidez is now looking for the next big opportunity. So, where do they go from here?
The Mexican Monster went all-in calling for a fight with Alvarez. The fighter and his promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, were very optimistic about making a fight with Alvarez during the fall of this year. But discussions did not result in an agreed-upon deal.
POTENTIAL FIGHTS AT 168 AND BEYOND
Now, Benavidez must move on. He’s been idle following a win over former IBF champion Caleb Plant in March 2023. While surely disappointed he couldn’t land the big matchup with Canelo, Benavidez is a fighter who has his share of options.
A possible matchup for later this year could be David Morrell (9-0, 8 KOs), the reigning WBA Regular champion. Morrell is fast becoming a favorite among the hardcore sect. The 25-year-old Cuban lefthander is coming off a first-round destruction over Yamaguchi Falcao on April 22 and is on record saying that he’s very interested in fighting Benavidez.
Another fight for Benavidez could be a contest against reigning WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs). Fight observers are well aware that they do not like one another. The middleweight champion has not fought in two years. Folks on social media are grumbling over when he will return to the ring. Charlo has said that he believes a matchup with Benavidez will happen at some point. It’s the kind of grudge match that would get plenty of attention
An interesting recourse for Benavidez would be a move up to the light heavyweight division. The Mexican Monster is a big super middleweight. At times, it’s been a struggle for him to make 168. Physically, the 26-year-old’s body is probably more suited for 175.
Benavidez is one of the more entertaining fighters going, and his profile is rising. It will be interesting to see what his future has in store.
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