Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has accused Canelo Alvarez of avoiding a fight with David Benavidez as hype for a potential bout between the two intensifies.
With both fighters on excellent form in the ring, an Alvarez vs Benavidez matchup is one of the sport’s most sought-after clashes. Alvarez is thought to have been offered somewhere in the region of $50 million to take the fight on, but the idea never moved forward, leading some, including Mayweather to criticise the Mexican.
“We keep on saying we want to see Canelo vs Benavidez. Canelo’s a hell of a fighter, but in my personal opinion, he’s ducking Benavidez,” Mayweather told FighterIQ. “This is my personal opinion and I’m allowed to speak my mind. That’s just what it is. We want to see Benavidez – let’s make it happen.”
Of course, these words may be the result of Mayweather’s history with Alvarez. The two met back in 2013, when Mayweather emerged victorious in a contentious 12-round majority decision that led to one of the judges retiring his position.
Will Alvarez vs Benavidez ever happen?
While the fight has so far been elusive, Alvarez’s recent switch in promoter may have taken it a step closer.
The Mexican has had a longstanding deal in place with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, who have promoted seven of his last eight fights. Now, however, he’s made the jump to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in what’s believed to be a three-fight deal.
Hearn has no hard feelings about the switch, but is unsure of what fights may be covered. “I think it’s a good move for him,” he told Boxing Social. “We never made him an offer, we didn’t have a fight for him for September. We were asked to make the [Dimitry] Bivol fight – that wasn’t possible.
“I don’t know the details – if it’s Charlo, Benavidez, two fight, three fight – but he’s got to make his move. I spoke to him last night and wished him all the best… It’s been an amazing run. I’m sure we’ll work together again.”
A crucial detail of the deal is that Benavidez is also with PBC, and while that in itself doesn’t mean that this long-awaited bout is a dead cert, it makes resolving the financial and contractual problems that seem to have been a hold-up so far much easier to navigate.
If it does happen, the bout would represent a major sporting moment for Mexico, with both fighters hailing from the Central American country. It would also get fight fans licking their lips with anticipation at a coming together of two of the sport’s biggest stars.
With 59 wins from 63 fights to his name, Alvarez is commonly seen as one of the greatest boxers ever. He has lost just twice (to Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol) and drawn twice (with Jorge Juarez and Gennady Golovkin).
At 26 years of age, Benavidez has less ring experience than his compatriot but has proven himself to be a powerhouse, going unbeaten across his 27 total fights. 23 of those wins have been claimed by knockout.
Written and distributed by Chat T Sports.
