Eddie Hearn has taken a pop at David Benavidez over his nicknaming, claiming Canelo Alvarez is the only ‘Mexican Monster’ in boxing.
Fans in the United States have been calling for pound for pound star Canelo to face Benavidez next, following the latter’s impressive win over Caleb Plant last month.
And whilst Hearn was complimentary of Benavidez’ performance against Plant at the MGM Grand, he could not resist having a subtle dig when being interviewed by Fight Hub TV.
“He’s a very good fighter. David Benavidez, the Mexican Monster? Not quite, there’s only one Mexican monster and he knocked Caleb Plant out.”
“But Benavidez is a good fighter. I think he’s very exciting, he’s a talent and he’s young.”
The Plant fight has been heralded as a career best win for Benavidez, who overcame a tricky early period to dominate the second half of the contest and win a unanimous decision.
However, Canelo, provided he gets past mandatory challenger John Ryder next month, looks set to rematch old foe Dmitriy Bivol later in the year rather than take on Benavidez.
Canelo puts his undisputed super middleweight crown on the line against WBO interim belt holder Ryder at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, his first fight in his native Mexico in over a decade.
If, as expected, he gets past Ryder, a second crack at WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol is expected to be finalised for September.
Bivol upset the bookmakers’ odds to defeat Canelo last May to keep hold of his 175lb strap, though is reportedly demanding that any rematch takes place at 168lbs for all four world titles.