While a potential clash with Dmitry Bivol remains uncertain, David Benavidez continues to express frustration over Canelo Alvarez‘s apparent avoidance of a fight. He has long called out the Mexican superstar. Even the mandatory challenger status failed to secure him the matchup. Now, Benavidez is shifting his focus to legacy-building at 175 pounds, while Canelo has chosen a high-profile showdown with Terence Crawford following his Cinco de Mayo appearance.

The usual narrative criticizes Canelo for ‘ducking’ David Benavidez. But what if we flipped the question? It’s something Canelo himself has raised more than once: as the undisputed king of the super middleweight division and arguably the ‘face of boxing.’ Has Benavidez truly done enough to deserve the fight? Surprisingly, even someone who considers himself a friend of Benavidez isn’t convinced.

Sanchez weighs in on boxing’s biggest names

While in Manchester for his fighter Joe Joyce‘s clash with Filip Hrgovic, Abel Sanchez sat down with Fight Hub TV for a quick chat. The veteran Mexican trainer is best known for working with one of Canelo’s fiercest rivals, Gennady Golovkin. Naturally, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to face someone like Canelo. But the interview first touched on another hot topic: the potential rematch between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr.

Sanchez expects a tough fight. However, he felt Tank would win more convincingly this time. He also dismissed Shakur Stevenson‘s chances of beating Davis. Stevenson’s technical style wouldn’t be enough. When the discussion turned to Canelo vs. Crawford, Sanchez didn’t hold back. He called the matchup ‘ridiculous’ due to the size difference, giving Crawford just a 5% chance of winning, ‘unless Canelo turns 100 years old,’ he joked. In his view, Canelo would stop Crawford somewhere between rounds 9 and 12.

The conversation then circled back to Canelo’s choice to fight William Scull next. The interviewer asked, “Do you think it’s necessary that Canelo fight William Scull? Then is there a point in him doing that before the Crawford fight, or should it be, with his age considered, sooner rather than later?”

Abel Sanchez replied, “Of course there’s a reason he wants to. First of all, he wants to be unified, and second of all, I think Canelo’s earned the right to fight whomever he wants. Uh, I think Canelo’s done enough for himself and for the sport to be able to fight whoever is next in his vision.”

No free pass: Sanchez on what it takes to challenge Canelo Alvarez

But the interviewer pressed further: What about a Canelo-Benavidez showdown? Did that fight make sense now? “No, I don’t think Benavidez has earned it,” Sanchez shot back. He explained that both David Benavidez and his father, Jose Benavidez Sr., happen to be his friends. But that doesn’t dilute the fact that ‘he who drives the car calls the shots.’

Like many others, Sanchez believes that Canelo not only owns the 168-pound division, but he commands the sport itself. To face him, Benavidez needs to reach that same level. Canelo himself has long echoed that idea. It took years and tough losses to legends like Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol to grow into the fighter who could pick and choose his opponents. If Benavidez truly wants the fight, he might have to do the same.

Wins over names like Bivol or Artur Beterbiev would boost his profile and bargaining power. With the right momentum, Canelo may no longer be in a position to turn him down.

What are your thoughts on Abel Sanchez’s take? Has Benavidez done enough to earn the Canelo fight, or is he still one statement win away?