David Benavidez “I want to fight Charlo”
Former WBC Super Middleweight champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez (24-0, 21ko) successfully defeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s sparring partner Ronald “Akeem” Ellis (18-2-2, 12ko). The former champion is the first man to have stopped the Massachusetts boxer via eleventh-round stoppage. He also maintained his number one WBC rating by securing the title eliminator stipulation. However, winning the eliminator does not mean Benavidez will get a shot at the unified Mexican champion.
Canelo has been very clear that his immediate priority is to become undisputed at 168. He is already set to square off against WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders for the traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend fight. Providing success on the May fight night against the WBO champion, his crosshairs will undoubtedly look towards IBF champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant. Equally important, the WBC has shown a willingness to allow Canelo to operate with impunity.
NOW BEGINS THE WAITING GAME
Benavidez is on the outside looking in and he fully understands how these things will play out. He has openly stated during an interview with Brian Custer on The Last Stand podcast that there are other greats fight that can be made within the division.
“I feel like everybody is chasing Canelo, but I feel like there are more fights that can be made.”
~ David Benavidez
Well, the former champion is correct. There are plenty of other fights that would pique the fan’s interest. One, in particular, that should be heavily entertained is a fight with WBC Middleweight champion Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo (31-0, 22ko). For those in the know, this match-up has been teased on numerous occasions. However, Red Flag wants to squash the standing social media beef in a fight against the WBC middleweight champion.
In 2020, Charlo expressed wanting to face the former world champion during a live stream with a former victim of Benavidez’s, former world champion Anthony Dirrell.
“If you don’t get the rematch with Benavidez, I’ll take it.”
~ Jermall Charlo
For context, Dirrell desired a rematch against Benavidez, to whom he lost the WBC Super Middleweight title to. Of course, this resulted in a back-and-forth between the two combatants on social media.
THE FIGHT THAT IS EASY TO MAKE
Benavidez, during his Ellis post-fight interview, suggested that Charlo seems to have a change of heart, which is making one-half of Lions Only sound like a puppy.
“I want to fight Charlo, I think that would be a great fight. He said he was going to move up to 168, but he’s backpedaling saying he’s going to go down to 160.”
“I’m willing to fight anybody. If anyone thinks it’s an easy task, come see me in the ring, and I will show you otherwise.”
~ David Benavidez
On separate occasions, Hit Man himself has openly stated he would go to 168. In 2020, he affirmed he would rise to 168 to get a fight with Canelo. Boxing coach Ronnie Shields has even gone on record regarding Charlo, saying, “Oh yeah, I think the transition to 168 is going to be easy for him.” Earlier in 2021, Charlo further doubled down on his willingness to fight at 168, against Benavidez no less!
“Somebody tell Benavidez to call me right now and lets set this shit up! He ’68, I’m at ’60, we can go to ’68 and I still would put the 60 belt on the line. Like I am a dog, you know what I am saying? If you want it, you can get it!”
~ Jermall Charlo
The top brass at Premier Boxing Champions needs to throw a big bag of money at this fight and make it happen.
By: Garrisson Bland & Adrian Tullock
