David Benavidez has not held back with his latest criticism of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, claiming the undisputed champion is no longer fighting for honour.
Benavidez has been chasing a fight against the Mexican pound-for-pound star for years. Canelo has shown little interest in defending his belts against the ‘Monster’, insisting that unless he gets $200m the clash will never materialise.
Speaking to ES NEWS, Benavidez says Canelo isn’t showing the ‘honour’ of a Mexican fighter and is instead taking the easiest fights possible.
“I’m just trying to make the best fight possible. If the fans are happy that they’re paying $80 and he’s not giving the best fights possible.
It’s crazy because a Mexican fighter is a fighter of honor who doesn’t care about money. But it seems like Canelo now the more money he’s getting he’s like ‘f**k the people, I’m going to fight the easiest fights possible and if you have a problem with that the f**k you too’.”
The 27-year-old went on to compare the undisputed super-middleweight champion against Mexican legends of a previous generation.
“De La Hoya never did that s**t, Marco Antonio Barrera never did that s**t, Juan Manuel Márquez never did that, they fought the best of the best. It’s like the more money you give him the less he cares about the fans.”
Although Benavidez’ is stepping up to light-heavyweight next, he is still hopeful his WBC mandatory position will force the fight this year.
“After this fight we’re going to talk to the WBC and see what happens with that, but we’re going to make a strong case to make the fight happen in September. I’m entitled to it.”
Benavidez will make his 175lbs debut against former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15 in Las Vegas on a card headlined by Gervonta Davis against Frank Martin.
