Saul “Canelo” Alvarez kicked off the promotional tour for his May 4 fight against Jaime Munguia this week, but it was the fight that isn’t happening against David Benavidez that continued to dominate the storylines surrounding his upcoming fight.
The undisputed super middleweight champion Alvarez stated that his team never offered Benavidez a fight for $5 million, it would take up to a $200 million figure to get him to fight Benavidez, and that Benavidez brings nothing to the table aside from 25 extra pounds on fight night.
Jose Benavidez Sr. – the father, trainer, and chief handler for David – told BoxingScene they accepted a $5 million offer and then Alvarez’s camp “disappeared.”
“I think, in their mind, they thought we were going to ask for more money, so they can have an excuse,” Benavidez told BoxingScene in an interview following Alvarez’s latest remarks.
“We know that Canelo does not want to face the Mexican Monster. He doesn’t want to make that fight. He looks for any excuse. He’s scared. He knows he can’t win. He’s terrified to face David Benavidez. They’ll offer him $200 million and then he’ll pull something else.
“Now he’s looking for the payday. We just want the opportunity to get in the ring and fight him. He’s looking for $200 million and that’s ridiculous.
“We’re seeing a great champion who was dedicated and did everything in boxing fade away. I think this is the end of Canelo Alvarez. He knows a young lion and warrior like David can hurt him, stop him, and retire him.
“If he’s such a great fighter, let him come and shut up our mouths. He’s just looking bad now.”
The 33-year-old Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and the 27-year-old Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) have been trading barbs back and forth for the last three years ever since Alvarez collected all of the 168-pound titles and settled into his throne as the king of the division.
Benavidez is Alvarez’s WBC mandatory challenger, but the sanctioning body has not been forcing the issue.
“We’re willing to do anything in order to make the fight,” said Benavidez Sr. “The fight can be made easy so that Canelo can make his payday.”
Benavidez Sr. said they’re also open to accepting a rehydration clause in the contract if Alvarez is worried about Benavidez’s build and that he would potentially be bulking up too much after the weigh-in.
Should a fight ever take place, the naturally bigger Benavidez would sport a six-inch height and four-inch reach advantage against Alvarez.
“Maybe next time we try and make the fight, I’ll give him a dozen roses along with an invitation to make the fight,” quipped Benavidez Sr.
“You hear Canelo say David brings nothing to the table and he goes and fights Munguia. David has proven more than Munguia. Canelo knows Munguia brings less danger to the fight and it’s an easy fight for him. I think Canelo struggles a little bit but he beats Munguia. We’ll fight Canelo and Munguia on the same night and beat both of them.”
With the Alvarez fight nowhere near sight, Benavidez is moving up to light heavyweight to fight Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June.
“We moved up to 175 pounds to leave [Alvarez] behind us. We need to stay busy. We’re looking at the winner of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol fight, and are ready to come back down to 168 pounds when we need to,” said Benavidez Sr.
“We just want the opportunity against Canelo to show that David is the best. Once he does his job, the money will come. We’re looking to make history and give fans exciting fights. We’re being patient. I don’t think the fight is going to happen, but I’m being optimistic.”
By Manouk Akopyan