By Dan Ambrose: David Benavidez hasn’t given up on his desire to fight Canelo Alvarez, but he realizes that he can’t force it. He says he’s going to let the fight happen by continuing to win until Canelo has nowhere to hide.
The 26-year-old Benavidez checks all boxes for the danger he poses to Canelo, and that’s why some fans feel the Mexican star is avoiding him.
Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is Canelo’s WBC mandatory, but the sanctioning body won’t order the contest until next year.
Even if they do, it’s unknown if Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) will still hold the WBC belt because he’s facing Jermell Charlo next on September 30th, and it’s not a sure thing he’ll win.
If Canelo wins, he could face Terence Crawford next. That would be the unkindest cut of all for Benavidez, being passed over in favor of a welterweight.
Boxing obviously needs to be regulated so that things like this can’t happen. It’s blatantly unfair to the contenders.
“It kind of feels like it’s sailing away, but if they don’t want to make the fight happen, there’s nothing I can do in my power to force the fight with them,” said David Benavidez to YSM Sports Media when asked if he’s starting to feel like the fight with Canelo Alvarez won’t happen.
It would be better for Benavidez to take the hint and move because he’s hurting his career by staying at 168, waiting for a fight that may never happen against Canelo.
If Benavidez moved up to 175, he could get fights against Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Those guys wouldn’t avoid Benavidez.
“I’ve been the #1 with the WBC for one of the belts that he has for the past three years,” said Benavidez. “I keep hollering and doing this stuff, but the stuff seems kind of wack to me.
“So, for me, I’m just going to keep winning. If the fight happens, we’re going to let it happen organically, but I’m going to keep beating people in front of me until there’s nowhere for him to hide.
“Me and Canelo? I beat him. I definitely beat him. I feel like I have the tools necessary to hurt him. I’m not going to say that I stop him.
“I’m definitely going to give my all to try and top him, but he’s a great fighter. I can’t just say I’m going to go in there and knock him out. It’ll be a great fight. I definitely see myself winning.
“I’m taller, younger. I feel like I’m faster. I feel like I have the same power as him. It would definitely be a great fight. People win in that fight. Let’s just make it happen. Let’s give the fans what they want to see.
“It’s one of the biggest fights that can happen in boxing right now. I’m willing to make it happen, but it doesn’t look like they’re kind of willing to make that happen,” said Benavidez about Canelo.
