Speculation that Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez might fight David Benavidez is building and, ahead of any potential showdown, Shakur Stevenson has now given his verdict.
‘Canelo’ is a multi-weight champion and is the reigning undisputed super middleweight king. He has twice defended the belts this year, once against Brit John Ryder and then versus Jermell Charlo, both times taking unanimous points wins over 12 rounds.
Having brushed aside so many challengers relatively easily in his long career, many are hoping he will take on the formidable force of Benavidez.
Speaking to DAZN, three-weight world champion Stevenson was initially split on who might come out on top.
“I think that’s a real 50-50 fight. With Andrade he was right, he is small, with Benavidez he is big, a big man coming in there putting on that pressure nonstop.”
He credited Canelo with being strong in the ring but then decided the work rate of Benavidez might be too much.
“Canelo is stocky, strong enough to sit there. But if I had to put my money on it, I’m picking Benavidez. I’m still a big Canelo fan, the only hole I see, after the first three or four rounds he slow down, his power slow down and Benavidez picks it up.
Benavidez gonna be coming at him, bringing it, he don’t care. He got not respect for nobody. Canelo will have to sit there and trade with him. I think he hit harder from looking, but the volume of Benavidez, will Canelo be able to withhold that pressure?”
The boxing world would love to find out, but may have to continue to wait.