Team Benavidez Checks Reynoso Regarding Lucrative Offer for Canelo Alvarez Fight
It’s no secret that number one on the hitlist of two-time super middleweight champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is the reigning undisputed champion at 168 pounds, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs). Team Benavidez is now upping their efforts in hopes of landing a fight with the Mexican superstar.
WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?
Sampson Lewkowicz is the president of Sampson Boxing and the promoter of Benavidez. Eddy Reynoso is the manager and trainer of Alvarez. Lewkowicz and Alvarez have had discussions about a matchup between their fighters. But here’s where things went awry.
There is a difference of opinion on whether there was a formal contract offer. Reynoso claims that he never received an offer. But Lewkowicz took to social media and posted the following letter claiming that Reynoso is not telling the truth:
Alvarez is coming off successfully defending his titles with a unanimous decision victory over WBO mandatory challenger John Ryder on May 6. Benavidez is the WBC Interim champion. Many insiders feel that next up for Alvarez is a rematch with the current WBA 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol this fall. Benavidez has been out of action since March 2023, when he picked up a unanimous decision win over former IBF champion Caleb Plant.
SETTING THEIR OWN RULES
Lewkowicz feels that Reynoso is the key to making a matchup between Alvarez and Benavidez. But this is the reality that Team Benavidez must come to terms with. Team Alvarez goes by the beat of their drum. Alvarez is a superstar in this sport and fights who he wants, when he wants. He doesn’t abide by normal boxing protocols or care about sanctioning body obligations.
The WBC could, by rule, order a matchup between the two fighters. Alvarez would have no problems vacating the WBC belt without batting an eye. In May 2016, Alvarez dumped the WBC middleweight strap when the sanctioning body ordered him to face Gennady Golovkin.
Lewkowicz‘s letter will gin up plenty of chatter on boxing message boards. But it will likely not move the needle any closer to a matchup taking place.
