Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) arrived in Los Angeles hoping to stay focused on the task at hand, speak at a podium, and fulfil his press commitments.
The undisputed super middleweight champion makes a highly-anticipated ring return in an all-Mexican affair against Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34KOs) on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, the Munguia fight was not the Mexican standoff that the public had wanted.
Canelo last appeared in September, dismantling Jermell Charlo over 12 rounds to claim a lopsided unanimous decision, defending his undisputed mantle. However, Canelo has been subjected to public backlash since.
David Benavidez has held the WBC’s mandatory challenger position for more than two years. Still, he has not come close to arriving at the negotiating table with Canelo and his representatives to discuss the prospect of a fight between them.
The 27-year-old, along with manager Sampson Lewkowicz, have been vocal in attempting to goad Canelo into a fight with his Mexican/American compatriot, but to no avail.
Lewkowicz, on social media platform X, claimed that Premier Boxing Champions had submitted an offer to Canelo for him to defend his 168-pound crown against the former two-time WBC belt-holder Benavidez but insisted Canelo rebuffed the offer.
Canelo named his price, which is a substantial nine-figure sum, regarding how much he will need for an encounter with Benavidez.
“If some promoter, not him because he has nothing to offer me, but if some promoter offers $150m-$200m, then I will fight tomorrow,” Canelo told the media. “That’s the only reason I’d fight with him.”
By Ben Blackwell