Two-division world champion, Tim Bradley, has made his prediction for an undisputed super-middleweight title showdown between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and David Benavidez – one of 2024’s must-see match-ups.
Benavidez dominated and decimated Demetrius Andrade last weekend, forcing the formerly undefeated two-division champion to retire on his stool between the sixth and seventh round.
Now, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has the backing of fans around the globe and the position as the WBC mandatory challenger which should get his long-pursued clash with Canelo over the line.
As pundits continue to debate whether the 26-year-old phenomenon can topple the pound-for-pound great, Bradley doubted whether the champion will dare take the fight, but told Pro Box TV that he still gives Alvarez the edge.
“I think he sees what everybody else is seeing, this kid is getting better and better each time out. I had it 60/40 the last time I talked about Canelo and Benavidez, now I have it something along the lines of 51/49.
I’m still slightly favouring Canelo Alvarez, but Benavidez is on his freakin’ heels, there is no doubt about it because the later the fight goes, the more dangerous that he is going to be for Canelo.”
“We know Canelo, what does he do? He gasses out. Early on, Canelo will have success, but if he’s able to hold on to that lead from early on, then I think that he can pull off the victory, late. If he is not able to sustain himself and keep himself together, then Benavidez will swarm him.
He is bigger, longer, he can box on the outside and he can fight on the inside, he has combinations and the volume needed to beat a guy like Canelo, to keep him defensive and not allow him to land shots.”
Reports suggest that Canelo is more likely to take on Jaime Munguia in May before a possible bout with Benavidez in September.