The reigning WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF super-middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is set to defend his undisputed crown on Saturday, May 4th, against Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs), but after their first faceoff on March 19th, the media’s line of questioning was focused on the man Canelo chose not to fight.
(Photo credit: Esther Lin & Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Two years ago, after defeating Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin in their trilogy match, Canelo spoke about not fighting Mexicans because he represents Mexico. Two years later, he’s fighting Jaime Munguia, a super-middleweight contender of Mexican descent.
Meanwhile, Canelo’s WBC mandatory continues to wait on the sidelines while lesser deserving opponents receive the golden opportunity. The man almost everyone wants Canelo to fight meets the criteria, but Canelo refuses to step up to the challenge.
David Benavidez is a two-time WBC super-middleweight world champion. Unfortunately, he was stripped of the title on two separate occasions. The first time, he tested positive for cocaine, and the second time, he came into the bout over the weight limit.
Benavidez’s road to redemption began on May 21, 2022 when he scored a third round TKO victory over David Lemieux and won the vacant WBC Interim super-middleweight title. Benavidez appeared to be next in line to face Canelo Alvarez, but he had an obstacle in his path.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman declared at the 2022 WBC convention that the winner of the bout between former IBF super-middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and David Benavidez would become the mandatory for Canelo Alvarez. Benavidez won the fight, but Sulaiman never ordered the match.
A year later, in November 2023, Mauricio Sulaiman stated that the winner of the bout between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade would be ratified as the mandatory for Canelo Alvarez. A week later, Benavidez won the match, but Sulaiman never made an attempt to order the Canelo vs Benavidez bout.
Now, after passing on Benavidez to face John Ryder and Jermell Charlo, Canelo makes another hard pass as he has agreed to face Jaime Munguia. The 27-year-old Jaime Munguia is a solid fighter, but if Munguia were to face David Benavidez, wouldn’t Benavidez enter the contest as the favorite?
For the fans who gave Canelo the benefit of the doubt in regards to ducking David Benavidez, some of those fans have changed their opinion after Canelo’s recent opponent selection. The media scrutiny is becoming intense, and more members of the boxing community are starting to question Canelo.
Former two-time world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson wants to see a clash between Alvarez and Benavidez. In a recent interview, Tyson expressed his disappointment with Canelo Alvarez.
“Do you not respect the legacy of the great Mexican champions who faced the best regardless of the money?” Tyson asked. “This is a shame for boxing and for Mexico.”
Tyson went on to say, “If I were him I would accept the fight with Benavidez and show the world that he’s the best. But it seems he doesn’t have the courage to do it; It is a shame because he has a lot of talent but he lacks heart.”
After his initial faceoff with his May 4th opponent, the defending undisputed super-middleweight champion conducted a interview with Fight Hub TV. When asked about Mike Tyson’s comments, Canelo responded by saying, “I respect his opinion if he’s sober.”
For a significant amount of time, boxing fans and boxing pundits have noticed that Canelo Alvarez has been ducking David Benavidez. After the Alvarez-Munguia faceoff, Canelo put the sauce on the duck when he gave an absurd response to a legitimate question.
A tactic some boxers use when they’re trying to execute the duck is to price themselves out. Canelo utilized the method when asked about a future bout with David Benavidez.
“Maybe, who knows, but you know he brings nothing to the table for me. He brings just 25 pounds more in the night, the fight on the night,” Canelo stated. Alvarez went on to say, “If one promoter who I work to they come and say I offer to you 150-200 million, I fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I fight with him.”
Canelo Alvarez spoke about David Benavidez’s alleged 25 pound rehydration, but Canelo must have forgotten the fact that when he fought a 36-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr back in 2013, Canelo had a 20 pound weight advantage, and he still lost the contest.
Another talking point that Alvarez had was the list of opponents he faced in the past. In case he didn’t know, that’s part of the
requirement of being a defending champion. Of course, you mix in a few tune-up fights, but you generally fight the best of the best.
Judging by his demeanor in his most recent interview, it’s safe to say Alvarez has no intentions of defending his crown against his WBC mandatory David Benavidez or his WBA mandatory David Morrell. Alvarez seems determined to stay away from the fights that are classified as dangerous.
Canelo Alvarez is a legend, and he has earned the right to pick and choose, but at the same time, you can’t hold the weight class hostage. If being selective is what he wants to do, then that’s all fine and dandy, but in order to do that, he should do the right thing and vacate the WBC and WBA world title belts.