Chris Algeri says Canelo Alvarez must defend against David Benavidez or Jaime Munguia in 2024 to appease his Mexican fans.
At the same time, Algieri acknowledges that the sanctioning bodies are backing undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs), and they won’t strip him of his titles if he elects not to fight Benavidez or Munguia this year.
According to Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN, Canelo will fight Jermall Charlo in May and Terence Crawford in September.
Canelo hasn’t confirmed that, so if he receives enough fan pressure, he could choose to fight Benavidez or Munguia. At this point, Canelo will do what he wants, and if he doesn’t feel motivated to fight one or both of those guys, he won’t be forced.
Benavidez or Munguia: The Ultimatum
“At this point, he will have to fight one of these guys, either Benavidez or Munguia. He’s going to have to break his ‘I don’t fight Mexicans decree,'” said boxing expert Chris Algieri to ProBox TV about Canelo Alvarez.
It doesn’t have to be either of those guys. If Canelo wants Jermall and Crawford this year, that’s who he’ll fight. There’s nothing the boxing public or the sanctioning bodies can do.
“He doesn’t care. He does whatever he wants. He has governing bodies that are backing him. They’re not stripping him,” said Algieri, reacting to Paulie Malignaggi saying that the four sanctioning bodies should strip Canelo if he doesn’t face Benavidez this year.
“He cares about the titles. If he wasn’t holding the belts hostage, he could fight whoever he wants, and we wouldn’t care. The problem is he’s a unified champion, and he has very viable contenders.
“Young, tough, talented guys who are hungry have been calling him out for years. Benavidez has been calling him out for two years,” said Algieri of the young killers Benavidez, David Morrell, and Christian Mbilli, who want a title shot against Canelo.
Ducking Benavidez? A Strategic Option
“David Morrell is right there. He’s going to be the next guy in line as well. Munguia put himself in the [Canelo] sweepstakes. I think he has to fight one of those two.
“If he’s ducking Benavidez, he can duck Benavidez and fight Munguia because he can make the Mexican fans happy that way and say, “I fought the toughest guy around. Tougher than David.’ He can say that, and the Mexicans will love it,” said Algieri.