David Benavidez slammed the door before the showdown with Canelo. Everything is over.
The much-anticipated fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and David Benavidez now seems like a distant dream.
David Benavidez Ends Pursuit of Canelo Alvarez
For years, Benavidez, the reigning WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion, campaigned tirelessly for a showdown with the Mexican boxing icon. Despite his relentless efforts, the matchup has not materialized, leaving fans disappointed and Benavidez ready to move on.
Canelo, who holds the unified WBA, WBO, and WBC super middleweight titles, solidified his dominance in September with a successful title defense against the previously unbeaten Edgar Berlanga Jr. in Las Vegas. In contrast, Benavidez has shifted his focus to the 175-pound division, where he will challenge WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1, 2025. This marks a significant turning point in Benavidez’s career, as he officially closes the door on returning to the 168-pound division and, by extension, a potential fight with Canelo.
In a recent interview with Sean Zittel, Benavidez explained his decision to leave the super middleweight division behind, saying, “To be honest, I feel like I’m just focused on 175. I’m not going back to 168. My body is adjusting to 175. I’m building more muscle, and I’ve just turned 28. This is the path I need to take.”
Why Benavidez Is Relieved to Move On From Canelo
For Benavidez, stepping away from the Canelo fight feels like a weight off his shoulders. After years of chasing the elusive matchup, he admitted feeling liberated from the pressure of making it happen. “It feels great to cancel the Canelo fight. I just feel bad for the fans because they missed out on a great fight. It’s crazy it never happened because this was one of the biggest fights in boxing, so it’s unfortunate we couldn’t deliver it to the fans,” he said.
Benavidez also cast doubt on whether Canelo would be willing to meet him in the light heavyweight division, adding, “I don’t think he can fight me at 175.”
This statement underscores the growing divide between the two fighters’ career trajectories. While Benavidez is focused on building his legacy at a higher weight class, Canelo continues to dominate at 168 pounds and explore high-profile fights within his current range.
Canelo’s Next Moves and Benavidez’s New Challenge
While David Benavidez charts a new course in the light heavyweight division, Canelo Alvarez is reportedly pursuing other blockbuster opportunities. Rumors suggest that Canelo is negotiating a potential fight with pound-for-pound superstar Terence Crawford, with Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh expressing interest in hosting the event. A clash between Canelo and Crawford would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights in recent history, further cementing Canelo’s status as a global boxing icon.
As for Benavidez, his upcoming fight against David Morrell will be a critical test as he seeks to establish himself among the best at 175 pounds. This matchup not only offers Benavidez a chance to capture a title in a new division but also positions him for future marquee fights against top contenders.
