The undisputed champion of boxing’s middleweight division Canelo Alvarez has been under fire for neglecting a matchup with the undefeated David Benavidez. Many, including Mike Tyson, have predicted that Benavidez would defeat Alvarez if they ever fought. Golden Boy Promotion’s Oscar De La Hoya has put forth his theory of Alvarez vs Benavidez not happening.
Speaking on the pound-for-pound podcast, hosted by Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman, De La Hoya provided an in-depth analysis of the situation. After all, De La Hoya had promoted Alvarez for 12 years and is also knowledgeable about behind-the-scenes of the boxing world.
“I think he [Canelo Alvarez] knows he will lose [against David Benavidez],” De La Hoya said as he also added, “When fighters outprice themselves, that’s basically saying ‘I don’t want to fight.'”
Alvarez had demanded a 9-figure payday to fight Benavidez as he addressed the ducking rumors. To the demand, David Benavidez made a unique proposal to Turki Alalshikh to make the fight happen in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez’s last fight was against Demetrius Andrade, which he won via stoppage, after which he called out Alvarez. Nonetheless, Alvarez is set to fight Jamie Munguia. Nevertheless, Benavidez’s skill is much appreciated across sports as evidenced by UFC star Henry Cejudo’s assessment.
Henry Cejudo praises David Benavidez
Oscar De La Hoya explained that a potential fight between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez would be a changing of the guard moment. Moreover, he addressed the injuries Alvarez sustained over the years and his relatively older age, which made Alvarez hesitant to accept Benavidez.
Nonetheless, Henry Cejudo, the former two-division UFC champion is extremely critical of the career choice of Alvarez. On the other hand, he is very high on the “Mexican Monster” David Benavidez.
“Look at what David Benavidez is doing – ‘I’m willing to go up to 175 pounds and fight the winner of [Artur] Beterbiev and [Dmitry] Bivol. Like, give me one of those dudes’,” said Cejudo who predicted that Benavidez would steal all the fans of Alvarez.
Oscar De La Hoya admitted that Benavidez is a fighter but also stated the relatively young age of Benavidez made it possible to take on all challenges. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are scheduled to fight on June 1 in Saudi Arabia to crown the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Benavidez will get the winner of Beterbiev versus Bivol, if he turns out victorious against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a potential number one contender fight, per Boxing Scene. Alvarez was unsuccessful against Bivol and a victory over either Beterbiev or Bivol for Benavidez would send a message to Canelo Alvarez.
Do you think Davide Benavidez would ever get to fight Canelo Alvarez? Leave your thoughts below!
