On the night of May 4th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, it was Mexico vs Mexico as the undisputed super-middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez defeated Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) by way of unanimous decision.
The last time Canelo fought a fellow Mexican was seven years ago when he defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in 2017. The night of May 4th unfolded according to plan as the challenger gave a solid effort, but the champion Canelo Alvarez, showed that he’s levels above Jaime Munguia.
Munguia experienced success in the opening round as he changed levels with the jab and targeted Canelo’s body. The challenger continued to stick to his game plan in the second round as Munguia worked off the jab and threw his combinations.
Through three rounds of boxing, Munguia was in a good position, but late in the fourth, Canelo landed an uppercut that sent Munguia down to the canvas. The knockdown proved to be the turning point as counter-punching, timing, and well placed shots were the key elements in regards to Alvarez earning a unanimous decision victory.
As soon as Alvarez collected the 61st victory of his illustrious boxing career, he was asked the obvious question. During the post-fight interview sportscaster Jim Gray asked Canelo the David Benavidez question.
“David Benavidez is the person that everybody across this country and across the world would like to see you fight. You said earlier this week you’re willing. What’s your thoughts right now?” Jim Gray asked.
“I don’t know right now. I’m going to rest, I’m going to enjoy my family, but you know if the money is right, I’m ready to go. If the money is right, I can fight right now, I don’t give a sh#t,” Canelo responded.
Initially when Canelo failed to commit to a fight against David Benavidez, the fans in the T-Mobile Arena began to boo. Canelo tried to navigate his statement back into the fan approval lane by saying he’ll fight Benavidez if the money is right, but what does that mean?
Back in March of this year, Canelo Alvarez stated he wants $200 million for a fight against David Benavidez. That’s an odd request considering Canelo has consistently stated that David Benavidez brings nothing to the table but 25 extra pounds.
When a boxer doesn’t want to fight another boxer they tend to use a method known as pricing themselves out. They will come up with a figure they know promoters won’t pay. For example Canelo signed a three-fight deal with PBC worth $100 million, but he’s asking for $200 million to fight David Benavidez.
Canelo’s monetary request for the Benavidez fight is utterly ridiculous. The high dollar amount represents the level of danger Canelo feels he’s facing if he fought Benavidez. Prior to the Canelo-Munguia clash, Benavidez commented on the $200 million price tag.
“Nobody’s going to give 200 million for that. If somebody can come up to 200 million we make a go fund account maybe we’ll get it, but as of right now, nobody’s giving 200 million for that fight,” Benavidez said.
David Benavidez feels he has earned the right to campaign for the undisputed super-middleweight crown, but unfortunately Canelo continues to make excuses. Outside of Canelo’s core supporters, most boxing fans and boxing pundits have come to the realization that Canelo Alvarez is ducking David Benavidez.
“I think he’s getting put into a corner now where he’s running out of excuses. He said the only thing I bring is 25 extra pounds and I’m not worth nothing, but he’s asking for 200 million.” Benavidez went on to say, “For me it looks like fear. It looks like he’s scared of me.”
Since defeating Munguia, Canelo Alvarez’s next ring appearance is scheduled for September. If David Benavidez is able to get passed Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his light heavyweight debut in June, Benavidez said he’s willing to come back down to 168 to face Canelo in September.
If Benavidez is successful on June 15th, a Canelo vs Benavidez clash would be the biggest fight of 2024. That fight would be huge, but Canelo may once again go for the lesser opposition as Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) has been campaigning for the September fight with Canelo.
“I mean I don’t want to say too much about that. I don’t really have an opinion,” Benavidez said. “Berlanga feels like he earned it, but the fans know who really earned that fight, and I leave it up to the fans, and ask them what fight they want to see and they’ll tell you.”
David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) won two title eliminator bouts and earned the Canelo fight, but unfortunately Canelo doesn’t want to take the risk of fighting a boxer the caliber of Benavidez. If Benavidez is successful on June 15th, Canelo will face more scrutiny.
The public demand for Canelo to fight David Benavidez will intensify even more, and unfortunately for Canelo the general public is fed up with his stall tactics. With that being said, it’s safe to say that on Saturday night June 15th, Canelo Alvarez will be rooting for Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
