In just a couple of days, Canelo Alvarez will step into the ring for his 66th professional fight, where he’ll face Edgar Berlanga in a highly anticipated showdown to defend his unified titles. However, as the fight with Berlanga approaches, a lingering topic of conversation continues to resurface – Canelo‘s absence in a much-anticipated fight against David Benavidez.
Many fans have been eager to see Alvarez face Benavidez, the WBC mandatory challenger, but the bout has yet to materialize. This has led to criticism from some who blame Canelo for avoiding the fight.
Although Alvarez has repeatedly addressed the situation, explaining his stance, the questions about Benavidez continue to follow him. In the lead-up to the Berlanga fight, Canelo once again found himself addressing these concerns, with some fans quick to express their dissatisfaction online.
In a recent interview shared by ‘Boxing News Plus,’ Alvarez spoke about his upcoming fight and his preparation for Berlanga.
He confidently dismissed any notion that Berlanga could deliver an upset and also discussed his support for fellow Mexican fighters ahead of the Noche UFC event.
However, the conversation eventually turned to his decision-making when it comes to choosing opponents such as Benavidez.
Canelo reiterated his belief that no matter who he defeats, fans and media will always point to the next potential challenger, meaning that a victory over Benavidez might not be enough to quell criticism.
“No, you know, I always fight everybody, and I have legendary fights,” Canelo said.
Awaiting the right financial offer
Alvarez has built a legacy fighting big names such as Miguel Cotto and Gennady Golovkin, but when it comes to Benavidez, his decision seems to hinge more on financial terms than legacy-building. As he made clear, unless the financial offer is right, his stance on the fight is unlikely to change.
“Like I say, if the money is right in that in that special fight, I mean, because you know he doesn’t bring me a legacy; he doesn’t bring me anything, so if the money is right, I’m in,” Alvarez noted.