Sampson Lewkowicz Believes Eddy Reynoso Determines If Canelo Fights Benavidez
A matchup that many boxing observers want to see is a showdown between undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) and two-time WBC 168-pound champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs). But the question is, will it ever happen? According to Benavidez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, the answer to that question lies firmly on the shoulders of Alvarez’s trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso.
POINTING THE FINGER AT ONE MAN
Team Benavidez has been making the media rounds following the Red Flag’s unanimous decision win over former IBF champion Caleb Plant on March 25. During an interview with the news source GFunky Boxing, Lewkowicz was asked who he thinks is the key for a fight to happen between Benavidez and Alvarez.
“I would say Eddy Reynoso . . . I believe that the people want it for the legacy of Canelo. He’s supposed to fight for the legacy, and he would get paid well because he would make more money with Benavidez than anyone else.
. . . He’s supposed to do right for the people for boxing, for the good of boxing.”
A HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL FIGURE
Reynoso is Alvarez’s most trusted confidant. Canelo doesn’t fight without Reynoso’s consent. As a result, the Mexican superstar is very selective about when and with whom he fights.
Reynoso and Alvarez have been dismissive about a fight with Benavidez. They previously claimed Benavidez failed to do enough to earn the opportunity. Their claim falls on muted ears following Red Flag’s victory over Plant. David Benavidez is currently the WBC mandatory challenger.
Alvarez is training for a May 6 title defense against WBO Interim champion John Ryder. Should he defeat Ryder, Benavidez is in line to be Alvarez’s next title defense. However, Reynoso and Canelo seem more interested in a rematch with reigning WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
There are some in the boxing community who believe that Canelo Alvarez is avoiding a fight with Benavidez. Given Reynoso’s influence on the boxing career of the undisputed champion, is Alvarez’s right-hand man who is really at fault?
