Though Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’ fight against Jermell Charlo on September 30th is far from a foregone conclusion, there has still been plenty of speculation as to who the Mexican will face in the second fight of his three fight deal with Al Haymon’s PBC.
However, news broke today that Alvarez will have little say in the matter, provided he wants to keep hold of his status as undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.
WBC President Mauricio Sulemain told Gambling.com that the pound for pound star will have to face interim champion David Benavidez in the first half of 2024, should he want to keep hold of the famous green and gold belt
“David Benavidez [will be Alvarez’ next mandatory]. He is the interim champion.”
“He is mandatory contender for the WBC. Benavidez’s term for the mandatory status is in March, 2024. It will absolutely be a great fight.”
Sulemain’s words will be music to the ears of boxing fans across the world, who have been calling for Benavidez to get his shot at ‘Canelo’ for the best part of two years.
‘The Mexican Monster’ is widely viewed as the number one threat to Alvarez at 168lbs, and there had been growing concerns that perhaps the Guadalajara native was not too keen on the idea of defending his titles against the younger, fresher and much bigger man, with Benavidez himself has accusing Canelo of avoiding a fight with him
That decision seems to have been taken out of his hands though, as the idea of him foregoing the undisputed crown he has worked so hard to attain seems unthinkable.