David Benavidez has been pushing for a shot at Saul ‘Canelo; Alvarez’s undisputed super-middleweight crown throughout 2023, but the champion has instead opted for a clash with Jermell Charlo.
Benavidez is now rumoured to sign for a mammoth fight that will take place before the end of the year.
The 26-year-old is undefeated in his twenty-seven outings as a professional, picking up twenty-three knockouts along the way and currently holding the WBC Interim title.
After the failure to make the mega-fight with Canelo, Benavidez has been linked to a contest with another Mexican in the form of Jaime Munguia, who is also undefeated in forty-two contests.
However, it has since been reported than Munguia will enter discussions to face Edgar Berlanga, with both men fighting on broadcaster DAZN.
In the hotly-contested 168lbs division, Benavidez is reported to instead face two-division world champion, Demetrius Andrade, according to reporter Julius Julianis.
“Sources close to the operation tell me that David Benavidez will go against Demetrius Andrade in one of the last months of this year. Jaime Munguía’s handlers have chosen not to fight Benavidez.”
Meanwhile, Golden Boy Promoter, Oscar De La Hoya announced that Munguia-Berlanga is close, boasting that the winner is poised to face Canelo for the undisputed title.
@jaimemunguia15 vs @EdgarBerlangaJr waiting on @DAZNBoxing for offer. Winner in line to face @Canelo
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) July 31, 2023
De La Hoya’s claims will undoubtedly cause a stir amongst boxing fans, with many believing that Benavidez is a more deserved contender.
Although, WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, recently revealed that despite his WBC Interim title, Benavidez will not be promoted into the position of mandatory challenger until March 2024 in an interview with Broadway Joel.
Canelo has signed a three-fight deal with PBC that kicks off with the Charlo bout. Should he come through that victorious, there are names in the stable like Charlo’s twin brother, Jermall, and Benavidez awaiting him.