Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez and David Benavidez, despite being at different stages in their campaigns, are regarded as two of the best fighters in the sport.
Canelo is a four-weight world champion with just two losses in a 66-fight campaign. He is still adding to a legacy that some feel could put him in the conversation as the greatest Mexican fighter ever.
Benavidez – who has long wanted to face Canelo but so far failed in his pursuit – is a two-time super-middleweight titlist who recently moved up to light-heavy. He is undefeated in 29 with 24 stoppages.
The pair represent the very best of the 168 division in recent times, but former champion James Toney believes he would have the beating of both.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Toney said he would beat Canelo ‘easy’ and ‘quick.’
“Canelo? Come on. In my prime I would have tapped that a** so good. Easy, quick. Easy work. He’s flat footed. He walks on quick sand.”
On a Benavidez fight, the 56-year-old told The Parry it would end in a KO.
“I love Benavidez but you know what? Lights out baby! He’s perfectly made for me. If he wants to come and attack then I’m going to attack to, if he’s going to punch then I’m going to punch. Fighters these days wait for people to do things, if he’s going to punch then I’m going to punch, that’s exactly how I fought,”
Hall of Famer Toney competed from 1988 to 2017 and held the IBF super-middleweight belt from ’93 until ’94, making three defences before losing it to Roy Jones Jr.
Known for his exceptional defence, counterpunching ability, and ring IQ, he was a three-weight world champion, holding titles at middleweight, super-middleweight, and cruiserweight. He scored wins over the likes of Michael Nunn, Iran Barkley, and Vassiliy Jirov.
‘Lights Out’ is perhaps best remembered for his foray into the heavyweight division. He challenged for the world title twice, first when he beat John Ruiz in 2005 – later ruled a no contest due to Toney failing a drugs test – and then against Hasim Rahman, a majority draw.
