David Benavidez: “If Canelo doesn’t want to fight me, he has to vacate”

By Boxing News - 02/11/2023 - Comments

By Dan Ambrose: David Benavidez says undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez will need to vacate his WBC super middleweight title if he refuses to fight him if he successfully beats Caleb Plant in their title eliminator next month on March 25th.

Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) says he’s already been Canelo’s mandatory for the last three fights for his World Boxing Council title, and he captured the interim WBC belt 168-lb belt last May with his third round knockout win over David Lemieux in Glendale, Arizona.

It’s unclear why the WBC hasn’t forced Canelo to defend or give up his belt with their organization because they should have already ordered him to defend against Benavidez because he’s been his mandatory since his 11th round knockout win over Ronald Ellis in March 2021.

That was two years ago, and yet the WBC still hasn’t ordered Canelo to defend against Benavidez, which has led some boxing fans to believe the organization is protecting Alvarez.

Benavidez says he’s going to move up to 175 if he can’t get a fight against one of these guys at 168: Canelo, David Morrell, Jermall Charlo, and Demetrius Andrade.

The writing is already on the wall that Benavidez is being avoided by the top fighters and will continue to be until he gets older and starts showing signs of deteriorating.

It’s up to Canelo to decide

“I think the next move has to be Canelo. They mandated the fight. The winner of this,” said David Benavidez to Everything Boxing when asked who’s next for him if he defeats Calen Plant on March 25th.

“I’m been mandatory for the past three fights [for Canelo]. I won the interim [WBC 168-lb] belt. Now, this fight, the winner is the mandatory for Canelo. That’s what it has to be. If he doesn’t want to fight me, then he has to vacate the belt.

“I feel it’ll be a big opportunity to miss because the fans want to see this fight. It’s a big fight, and may the best man win. I’m not going to say anything about anybody, but whoever wants it more wins.

“I’m not scared to put my will against other people because I know my will is stronger than anybody, and I cannot be broken. I’m ready to fight whoever. I’d love to get a fight in with Charlo, too, maybe.

“I think that would be a great fight. Canelo, David Morrell, and maybe Andrade. If those fights can’t be made, then I think it’s time to go up to 175,” said Benavidez.

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