By Adam Baskin: David Benavidez confirmed last night that a fight between him and former two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade is being negotiated for November.
If it comes off, Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) believes a victory over the unbeaten, highly ranked Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) will strengthen his position for a world title shot against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
It’s difficult to predict whether Canelo will be any more inclined to fight Benaivdez than he is now because he has no shortage of opponents to fight, and he doesn’t need that match-up to continue to add this estimated $200 million net worth.
Canelo could end up with a fortune of over half a billion by the time he retires. As long as Canelo is strategic about who he faces, can fight until he’s 40+ and wind up with a net worth of over $500 million.
Benavidez = weight bully
You can understand why Canelo isn’t in a hurry to fight the light heavyweight-sized Benavidez because that guy should be fighting at 175, not 168.
If you’ve seen how drained-looking was making weight for his last three fights at super middleweight, it’s clear that he should be fighting at 175, and perhaps even cruiserweight.
It’s killing Benavidez to continue to make 168, and that’s why he looked like a zombie from the ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ making weight for his recent fight against Caleb Plant.
Benavidez is bigger than light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev & Dmitry Bivol, and that tells you he’s fighting outside of his weight class.
Is Benavidez afraid of Morrell Jr?
“I think it is undercooked. To be honest with you, I think that’s a really good fight, pay-per-view worthy, especially,” said David Benavidez to Fighthype about a clash against WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr.
“He’s a great fighter, and I’m a great fighter as well. Let’s give the fans a great fight,” said Benavidez about Morrell.
Well, a fight with Morrell won’t happen if Benavidez plans on moving up to 175 soon because he can’t expect the Cuban fighter to come up in weight to fight him.
If Benavidez doesn’t wish to fight Morrell for obvious reasons, should just say it loud because the boxing public can already see what’s what.
They’ve watched Morrell call Benavidez out, saying that they would take his shoes from him if he were walking down the street in Cuba. It’s clear that Benavidez wants no part in fighting Morrell.
“I was really excited. I was like, ‘Man, you’re fighting a dude at 154,’ but I guess Canelo does whatever he wants, and nobody says nothing about it,” said Benavidez about Canelo Alvarez choosing Jermell Charlo to fight from the junior middleweight division rather than focusing on one of the top contenders at 168, like Benavidez or Morrell Jr.
“I’ve been mandatory [with the WBC at super middleweight] for the past three years, and they don’t bring that up. So, I don’t know what it is. My plan is to keep winning, and eventually, he’s going to have to face me,” Benavidez said about undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo.
“I think the skill set is paired up, but I just think that Canelo is more used to that weight class, more used to the punches. I don’t doubt Charlo landing some big punches on Canelo because he’s a great fighter, but I feel the advantages go to Canelo. He’s heavier, more comfortable, but it’s going to be a great fight.
“Probably three fights,” Benavidez said when asked how soon he’ll be moving up to 175. “I just want to make these fights happen. I’ve worked my whole career to get to the unified, to get to the moment to fight for the belts. It’s almost there. So, I can’t go until I get that fight,” said Benavidez.
