Deontay Wilder has a clear pick in a super middleweight scrap between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and David Benavidez.
Canelo is the current undisputed champion in the division, but many say his toughest test will come from Benavidez.
Whilst official talks haven’t started to make it happen, and the champ having rematch plans up a division at light heavyweight against Dmitry Bivol, there’s more fan pressure than ever for him to step inside the ropes with his countryman.
Benavidez made his case stronger still with a decision victory over Caleb Plant recently – a man Canelo stopped back in 2021 to add the fourth 168lb belt to his collection.
Benavidez has been a champion in the past, but he remains undefeated after losing his title once for testing positive for cocaine and a second time for missing weight.
Hard-hitting heavyweight, Deontay Wilder, predicts he’ll stay unbeaten if Canelo is next. He told ES News the undisputed king is too small.
“Too small. Canelo too small for him. That’s an easy fight for David, in my opinion. I think he’s gonna wear him down even quicker. I think Caleb gave Benavidez a more challenging [fight] than Canelo would give him.”
“But you never know until you know.”
Canelo does give away about 6 inches in height to Benavidez, but he has defied the odds before.
The pound-for-pound star is due out in May against Britain’s John Ryder, a homecoming fight set to take place in Mexico 12 years on from his last contest there.
Benavidez is riding high after the Plant victory, but with Canelo looking at a Bivol rematch later in the year, it seems he’ll have to defend his mandatory status next rather than fight for the belts.