David Benavidez has every reason to harbor resentment toward Canelo Alvarez. After all, despite being the mandatory challenger in the super middleweight division, Benavidez was seemingly brushed aside, treated like an afterthought. The reason? “The way he talks, he thinks he’s Superman,” Canelo stated. Dismissive, if not outright disdainful. But if there’s one thing David Benavidez could do, it was to not wait around anymore. And he did that. In the second half of 2024, he took matters into his own hands, jumping up to light heavyweight and claiming the WBC Interim title with an impressive win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and defending it in February this year against the unbeaten David Morrell. Yet with all that history, would Benavidez let his past cloud his judgment?
Apparently not. The upcoming September clash between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez has long sparked debate about size, skill, and ring IQ. While some believe Terence Crawford can follow the Floyd Mayweather blueprint that neutralized the 23-year-old Canelo back in 2013, others aren’t so sure. The former world champion Timothy Bradley, never shy about his pro-Crawford stance, put it bluntly: “You already know I’m biased. I got Crawford.” But what does Canelo’s longtime nemesis think about the September 13 matchup?
Terence Crawford better bring the heat, or Canelo Alvarez will cook him
Just a few hours ago, David Benavidez joined Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo on their Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast on YouTube, where the trio dove into a range of boxing topics. Toward the end of the episode, the conversation naturally veered toward the highly anticipated Crawford vs. Canelo bout. Triple C then posed the big question: “Could Terrence Crawford, does he have an opportunity to beat Canelo?” The WBC light heavyweight champion, despite his own complicated history with Canelo, gave a balanced and insightful take: “I think if anybody has an opportunity, I mean, has a chance to beat Canelo, I think it’s Terence Crawford.” Why? Because, “His IQ is on another level. He’s a great fighter and he’s strong.” But the problem is, “It’s just that it’s a lot of weight. And he didn’t have a hard time at 154, but the other guy was getting him with some good punches. So, he felt the power at 154. So, imagine going up to 160!”
September 14, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: SAUL CANELO ALVAREZ 62-2-2-39KOs of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico defeats EDGAR BERLANGA 22-1-17KOs of Brooklyn, NY by a unanimous decision 118-109, 117-110, 118-109 during PBC on Prime boxing at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20240914_zsp_o117_127 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
Henry Cejudo quickly jumped in to clarify who Benavidez was referring to. “[Israil] Madrimov?” he asked. Benavidez confirmed, “Yeah. Madrimov is a good fighter. And then… you find a strong fighter like Canelo. So, I feel like I wouldn’t be surprised if Terence Crawford wins, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses either.”
That candid, even-handed response caught Cejudo’s attention. Pressing further, he asked, “Yeah. If Canelo does win, more likely Canelo’s a finisher, will he finish a guy like Terence Crawford?” Benavidez didn’t flinch. “That’s how you see what type of dog they are. I think Terence Crawford, when he went up against the best opposition like Errol Spence, he showed what fu–ing level he’s on, what type of dog he is. So, it’s just, I don’t know. You really have to let these fights play out to see what happens, you know? I mean, he might get hurt. That sh-t might activate him to come back strong or I don’t know. I don’t know. We got to sit and see.”
Now, while the 41-0 boxer may be smaller in natural frame, he actually holds a height and reach advantage over Canelo Alvarez. Still, the fact that the Omaha southpaw is moving up two weight classes was something David Benavidez believed could present a serious challenge. But would Benavidez himself consider moving up or down a division to face other fighters?
Canelo Alvarez gets a “No” from Benavidez, but Crawford gets a “Yes, Sir!”
In the same interview, the former UFC dual champion didn’t miss the chance to test the 28-year-old’s flexibility when it comes to weight. “Could you still make 68?” he asked. The Mexican Monster answered, “I don’t want to make 68.” But that stance shifted almost instantly when Cejudo reframed the question. “No, I know you don’t. But could you make let’s say for whatever reason, Terrence wins 68?” Benavidez lit up. “Yeah. Well, if that’s… Yeah, fu-k yeah. I can make 168. You know, it’s on the dieting. I don’t enjoy it, but I can make 168. But that would be cool.” Clearly, the right opponent and the right stakes can change the game, even for a fighter who’s grown comfortable at light heavyweight.
Toward the end of the conversation, Kamaru Usman posed a playful but pointed question. “What happens first? Crawford vs. Alvarez or Benavidez vs. Alvarez?” Benavidez didn’t flinch, giving a realistic, if slightly frustrating, take. “I think [Edgar] Berlanga versus Alvarez too might happen before,” he quipped.
Right now, Canelo Alvarez remains the heavy fan favorite, and the 28-year-old is staying consistent with his earlier prediction on the September showdown. But should Canelo Alvarez lose to Terence Crawford, there’s still plenty of road left for the Mexican superstar. But will that include a fight with David Benavidez? Only time will tell.
Do you also share David Benavidez’s perspective on the Canelo vs. Crawford matchup, or do you believe Canelo Alvarez’s skills may be starting to decline with age?
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