David Benavidez put on an offensive clinic against Demetrius Andrade this past weekend, dropping the former middleweight champion in the fourth round and forcing the fight to end in the sixth. Now, the two-time WBC super middleweight champion appears to be on a clear path to facing undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
Benavidez hasn’t even reached his prime at 26, with 24 devastating wins via knockout in 28 fights. Canelo appears to be slowing down at 33. The longer Canelo waits for this Mexico vs. Mexico showdown, the less it helps his cause. Benavidez wants to be the face of Mexican boxing. Can Canelo somehow force his way out of a fight against the interim WBC super middleweight champion?
Canelo has interest in Jermall Charlo, Dmitry Bivol, and Terence Crawford, but a May or September fight against Benavidez is one fans want to see. When Mexican Independence Day comes, he won’t have the luxury of no competition, as the UFC has reportedly booked the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas that weekend. Can anyone justify Canelo fighting someone not named Benavidez? Will the WBC get involved, or do something that favors Canelo?
WATCH: Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte, live on DAZN
Is Canelo ducking Benavidez? Many will use the dreaded "D" word regarding Canelo if that is the case. Is it more his team than him? And if they do fight, who would win?
On this episode of Fightin’ Words, The Sporting News' Andreas Hale, Karisa Maxwell, and Tom Gray discuss Canelo-Benavidez and the following topics:
- Dissecting the Benavidez vs. Andrade fight
- Debating if Canelo will take the Benavidez fight and why he wouldn’t fight him
- Providing thoughts on Ryan Garcia’s return fight against Oscar Duarte and if a change in weight will affect Garcia
- Wondering if tension with Oscar De la Hoya will also affect Garcia and his relationship with Golden Boy
MORE from The Sporting News:
- Canelo vs. Benavidez has to be next
- Why Ryan Garcia 2.0 can still be great
- Why Katie Taylor is pound-for-pound No. 1
- What is Oscar Duarte's boxing record?