By Sean Jones: Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he wants to see Canelo Alvarez give David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo a shot just like he gave him his opportunity to make a name for himself in 2013.
Mayweather didn’t have to give Canelo a shot against him to build his brand nine years ago, but he helped the young Mexican star by throwing him a bone when he needed a boost to get to the next level.
Floyd didn’t have to do that, but out of an act of kindness, he gave Canelo his shot. It’s not Floyd’s fault that Canelo wasn’t up to the task despite being much younger, bigger & stronger at the time.
Unfortunately, Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t shown the same willingness to help out the career of the unbeaten Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) and Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs), and some believe he may NEVER fight either of the talents.
In an attempt to finally force Canelo to face him, Benavidez is facing David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) in a WBC super-middleweight title eliminator on May 21st on Showtime Boxing at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
A victory for the 25-year-old Benavidez will make him the mandatory challenger to Canelo’s WBA 168-lb title.
If Canelo chooses to swerve Benavidez by vacating or using his Franchise status with the World Boxing Council, it will be evident to the fans that he lacks the self-confidence to face the young lion.
Mayweather asks Canelo to give Benavidez his shot
“He did what made him happy. Sometimes you got to do what makes you happy,” said Floyd Mayweather Jr. to Fighthype when asked about his thoughts on Canelo Alvarez’s decision to challenge WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7th.
“I think one of the biggest challenges for Canelo is Benavidez. Benavidez is like Canelo. He’s [Benavidez] is different because he throws a lot of combinations, he’s young, and he throws a lot of combinations,” Mayweather continued.
“They said Canelo is no different. Someone had to give Canelo a shot at the top guy because I was a top guy. Canelo is a top guy. Benavidez, [Jermall] Charlo, or one of those guys deserves a chance. Give at least one of them a chance,” said Mayweather.
It’s too bad that Canelo isn’t looking to help the younger generation of fighters like Benavidez to help him build his popularity and help carry the sport forward.
Is Canelo being selfish by choosing not to fight Benavidez, or is this plain fear rearing its ugly head in the form of avoidance? Whatever the case, it’s wretched that Canelo would rather fight guys like Avni Yildirim, Billy Joe Saunders, Caleb Plant, and Rocky Fielding than Benavidez.
Boxing fans have been making a big deal about Canelo moving up to 175 to challenge WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in his next fight on May 7th.
Canelo chose Bivol over Beterbiev
The casual boxing fans don’t realize Bivol isn’t viewed as the #1 guy at 175. The top fighter at 175 is IBF/WBC champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs), and some people believe Canelo is waiting until the talented Russian gets old before facing him.
Beterbiev will be turning 38 on January 21st, and he’s getting up there in age.
Canelo isn’t expected to fight Beterbiev in 2022 or 2023, meaning that by the time he potentially does in 2024, the two-time Russian Olympian will be 39-years-old.
Why isn’t Canelo fighting Beterbiev in 2022, or why didn’t he face him in 2019? The answer is obvious. Beterbiev is too good, and his power, body shots, nonstop attacking style, and steel chin make him a nightmare for Canelo.
As such, Beterbiev is in the same boat as Benavidez in being virtually ignored by the Mexican star, as if he doesn’t exist.
Betebiev is the equivalent of the third rail in a subway. He’s too dangerous right now, but that could change in two years when Beterbiev is 39 and not the fighter he is today.
