David Benavidez is getting real thirsty, resorting to asking His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to intervene to come up with the dough to make his fight against Canelo Alvarez happen.
Benavidez took to social media to post a groveling-like message to the Saudi promoter Turki, in what some boxing fans characterized as begging at the feet.
He needs His Excellency to come up with the $200 million for Canelo to help him take his career to the next level, which ain’t happening.
“Selfless” or Self-Serving?
What was even more off-putting was Benavidez’s statement that he’ll fight for free if he loses and will donate a portion of his purse to charity of His Excellency’s choosing if he’s victorious. Pretending to be charitable sounds more like a publicity move on Benavidez’s part and not one with any chance of happening.
Benavidez’s “I’ll fight for free if I lose” comment was laughable, sounding disingenuous. Considering how huge the cruiserweight-sized Benavidez is, his chances of winning would be high against the smaller, older Canelo. So, his comment about giving up his purse if he’s defeated is an empty offer.
Even if he were on the level, he would still likely be raking in tons of cash with endorsements leading up to the Canelo fight, and the popularity he would gain, even in losing, would give his career a tremendous boost.
“Turki Alalshik, let’s bring the biggest and most exciting fight to Saudi Arabia. This will be the biggest Mexican vs. Mexican American fight in the history of boxing, and what better place to do it than The Kingdom, for the entire world to see,” said Benavidez on Instagram.
“This fight is for pride and glory. I fight for greatness, not money. Your Excellency, if I do not beat Canelo, I will donate my entire purse to any kid’s charity of your liking.
“When I do beat Canelo, I will be donating a huge amount of that purse to benefit children’s hunger across the world. I’m a champion of the people and will continue to fight the best! I stand by my words!”
Face Reality, Benavidez
Benavidez needs to give up on his obsession with Canelo and move up to cruiserweight, where he belongs, so he can mix it with fighters his own size, like Jai Opetaia and Mairis Brieidis. It’s forlorn with the way Benavidez is pursuing Canelo, and it’s difficult to watch.