David Benavidez is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Putting the final touches on his preparations, the light heavyweight champion has warned his upcoming opponent, Anthony Yarde. Ahead of his first title defense as a full champion, Benavidez is in the best of shape and supremely confident. One more win and he could stake a claim at rival and former sparring partner Dmitry Bivol’s titles. But deep inside, away from all the euphoria and hopes, Benavidez remains disappointed. He has yet to receive the super fight he’s always yearned for. It should have been Benavidez vs. Canelo. Instead it became Crawford vs. Canelo.

As to why it happened, David Benavidez believes Canelo is plain scared of him. Benavidez spent months as the mandatory challenger to the Mexican superstar’s super middleweight titles. Still, instead of facing him, Canelo Alvarez went on to fight Jaime Munguia, Edgar Berlanga, and William Scull before stepping in to face Terence Crawford. Unhappy, Benavidez moved up a division, where he’s forging a new legacy. As he awaits his moment, when he solidifies his position at 172 pounds, Benavidez finds it hard to forgive Canelo, even if he chooses to retire.

What did Canelo prove by fighting Terence Crawford? David Benavidez asks

During an interview a Fight Hub TV reporter probed the likelihood of division mates Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol avoiding him. David Benavidez expressed doubts. He still remains confident – a fight with both or either one would eventually take place. But he isn’t so sure about Canelo. “The only person that’s scared of me is Canelo, and I can say that for a fact,” Benavidez stated.

Reflecting on Canelo’s potential retirement, David Benavidez felt the former champion should step up and enter fights people want if he has no plans to hang up the gloves. His next statement may confound a few. “To be honest with you, nobody wanted to see him fight Crawford,” David Benavidez said.

He made it clear. Crawford was not the target of his criticism. It was rather directed at Canelo. Benavidez explained, “People wanted to see him fight Bivol again. People wanted to see him fight me.” It’s for Canelo to answer: “If he’s not going to retire, then what fights is he going to get?”

According to Benavidez, if Canelo decides to stay put, then he will have to pick either him, Bivol, or Beterbiev. Anyone else would be sheer mockery.

Canelo’s comeback and the road to Benavidez

Now that’s a scathing remark coming from someone who was at the receiving end of boxing’s so-called sharp practices that continue to befuddle fans and fighters alike. Terence Crawford has already hinted at a potential return by the first quarter of 2026.

But not much is known about Canelo’s plans. After the Crawford fight, the former undisputed champion underwent elbow surgery, thus keeping him away from the gym for weeks. So in likelihood, fans shouldn’t expect a comeback anytime before Cinco de Mayo 2026.

But the questions David Benavidez and many others have incessantly raised will continue to linger. Who’s going to be Canelo’s next opponent? Now the number one ranked contender in the WBA, WBC, and WBO rosters talks about a rematch with Crawford continue to swirl.

He still has two more fights under the Riyadh Season contract.

Given that now all three – Beterbiev, Bivol, and Benavidez – fight under the Riyadh Season banner, a fight with Canelo cannot be ruled out entirely. Fans should rather ask: Canelo had previously mentioned retiring at age 37. So with two more years to go, would he risk his legacy suffering defeat at the hands of another big name or rather leave the stage on a winning note against an easier opponent?

What’s your take? Do you think Canelo will eventually fight David Benavidez?