Now that Canelo Alvarez has fought past Jaime Munguia, calls for his clash against David Benavidez are louder than ever. While fans believe the impending fight will happen at some point, the question continues to echo. Is Canelo Alvarez ducking Benavidez? Jim Lampley, the iconic HBO commentator, now has a say on it.

After Alvarez defeated Jermell Charlo last year, fans demanded the Jalisco-based fighter defend his belts against the challenge of Benavidez, the mandatory WBC challenger. Even Benavidez yearned for that fight. However, the sanctioning body did not order it, nor did Canelo show any interest. Now that their contest seems like the only possible trajectory for Canelo, even Lampley sided with popular opinions.

Why won’t Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez?

To Fight Hub TV, Lampley remained genuinely in awe of Benavidez’s boxing acumen. However, when he compared it with Canelo, he gave the legend status to the 61-2 record holder. He noted, “First of all, Davis Benavidez is cosmic, exciting, spectacular, etc. But you’re talking about the evidence of one fight. Canelo Alvarez, you’re talking about the evidence of 70 fights.”

He further added, “I don’t know enough about David Benavidez to say to you, ‘Oh, he’s going to beat Canelo Alvarez. He’s going to knock out a guy that nobody has else has really been able to put on the canvas. Do I think David is a cosmic puncher? The biggest I’ve ever seen at that weight? I do believe that.”

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“Do I believe that it’s a fight I’ve to see? That has to happen? It needs to take place in the wake of this? I’ve never seen Canelo back down from a challenge. He fought Gennady Golovkin twice. Why would he be scared of David Benavidez?“ he quipped.

For the record, Canelo fought GGG not twice but thrice. For the first time in 2017, that was called a draw. In the following year, they fought yet again, which Canelo won through a majority decision. In 2022, for their trilogy fight, Canelo won again, this time on points. While the entire boxing world is demanding a Canelo vs. Benavidez fight, here are the conditions the former has cited to get the bout rolling.

Money and weight to get the fight on

When Benavidez realized that Canelo wouldn’t fight him, he announced that he would move up in weight. In June, he is all set to go to the light-heavy division to battle Oleksandr Gvozdyk. In light of these reports, Canelo had instigated his foe, noting that the only thing Benavidez brings to the table is a “few extra pounds.”

While in the beginning, Benavidez Sr. agreed to sign off on a rehydration clause, his son denied it after a fresh development. Canelo demanded $150-200 million to fight Benavidez. Taking cognizance of the amount, the latter noted that if Canelo is seeking such sizeable amounts, he might as well get adjusted to the weight.

Do you think the fight will ever happen? Let us know in the comments section below.