With Bivol winning the rematch, the 175 lbs weight class may have opened up for some classic fixtures. But a division below, largely centered around Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and his matchups, a familiar narrative continues, something David Benavidez left roughly a year ago. After years of waiting, ‘The Mexican Monster’ joined the fray at 175 pounds. After the sensational win over David Morrell, he foresees a potential showdown with former sparring partner Dmitry Bivol.

A win could make him the division’s new undisputed champion. As much as it’s a matter of delight for legions of fans, the whole scenario has, on the other hand, put Alvarez under the scanner. Despite the four-fight deal with the Riyadh Season, the Mexican champion continues to face incessant criticism over the Benavidez issue. What appears to have added fuel to the fire is that he will face Terence Crawford, who will climb two divisions up for a September showdown. Alvarez never rejected a fight with Benavidez outright. Only that he’s willing to consider it for a price – a whopping $200 million. Speaking with celebrated director-writer Peter Berg, Joe Rogan dwelled on the matter.

Though not a professional fighter, the New York-born director seems well-versed in the world of combat sports. Seven years ago, he directed and narrated a landmark documentary on Cuban boxing. As the discussion crossed the two-hour mark, the duo started conversing about what separates exceptional athletes – especially fighters – from merely good ones. Joe Rogan mentioned how even the hardest discipline and hard work could falter in front of superior competition. The discussion prompted Peter Berg to recall the time when Canelo Alvarez walked into his gym.

He contrasted Canelo’s intense focus and meticulous approach with other professional fighters. While talented, they lacked that same level of intentionality. He mentioned other elite fighters like Terence Crawford and Floyd Mayweather. Everything they do, from how they prepare to how they train, reflects their world-champion mentality.

At that point, Joe Rogan observed. “Unless you’re that guy that, like, pushes it past everybody else, you’re not going to be exceptional, and it’s a f**king struggle. That’s why some fighters, they reach a certain level of success, and they sort of slack off.”

Joe Rogan lends his voice to the never-ending Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez debate

He cited Canelo Alvarez’s example. Many believed the super middleweight champion might be avoiding a fight with David Benavidez. Perhaps Canelo’s focus might have shifted. He started playing golf more often, thus leading some to question if he was still as dedicated as before.

“A lot of people thought Canelo was doing that when he started playing golf all the time, like they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s not completely focused anymore.’ He is, and maybe this is why he doesn’t want to fight Benavidez,” Joe Rogan explained. “Might be,” Peter Berg added. While Rogan acknowledged the possibility, he postulated that it could be a business decision rather than a lack of hunger. He speculated that Canelo might not be avoiding Benavidez out of fear. Rather, he might be holding out for the right price, meaning $200 million.

It basically reflects a broader conversation in boxing. Whether elite fighters, especially established champions, take risks against dangerous opponents or prioritize financial incentives when choosing fights. Nevertheless, it adds another layer to the complex storyline of a potential match – one that, if it comes to fruition, could be among the biggest in boxing history.

Do you agree with Joe Rogan’s contention about Canelo not taking up the Benavidez fight?