David Benavidez has missed out on a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez despite it being, in most eyes, the best match-up at super-middleweight.
Instead, the opportunity to challenge for Canelo’s four belts will likely fall to Jermall Charlo – the current undefeated WBC champion one division down.
Despite the skills on paper making for a good fight, the general consensus is that two years out of the ring for Charlo may make a challenge against the Mexican great a step too far.
Benavidez – who still hopes to face Canelo down the line – feels the same. He spoke to FightHype about the contest, which is not yet official but expected to be made so very soon, and gives Charlo a ‘good chance’ but can’t see past his ring rust.
“I give Charlo a good chance. Charlo’s been a very talented fighter, very talented. And especially when you get opportunities like this, it’s probably what you need, that spark, to wake you back up and work hard. But it’s a good fight. I’ll still watch it.
“I think so [Canelo wins], it’s just him being more active. Two years is a long time, he’s gonna come back, ring rust, he’s not taking no tune-up fight. But he knows himself, he knows his body so I can’t speak about how he feels. It’s gonna be a good fight.
“[Charlo] has a really good chance. But the only thing I’m saying, it’s like the ring rust, he’s never fought at 168, and he’s going up against the best fighter. It’s gonna be a good fight anyways, he still has a good chance of winning.”
Canelo’s announcement that he’s partnering up with PBC for the foreseeable future presents not just the Charlo bout, but a good chance for Benavidez to follow.
Having said that, ‘The Mexican Monster’ believes he’s being avoided.
“Yeah, basically. Charlo don’t want to fight me, Canelo don’t want to fight me either. I’m not talking shit, I just want to give the fans the best fights. I’m not trying to disrespect nobody or nothing, I want to do my job — give the fans the best fights possible.”
If Canelo is as open to challenges as he claims to be, it won’t be long until Benavidez is in the opposite corner. First up, he’ll be out in September, and Charlo is expected to be announced as the challenger in the coming days.