David Benavidez has confirmed that he will continue to chase a fight with undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez despite recently making his debut at light-heavyweight.
The 27-year-old has long demanded his shot at Canelo and has fought his way to the mandatory position to make that happen. Frustrations with not getting the fight led him to move up to 175 this month, beating former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk to win the WBC Interim belt and become first in line for a shot at the winner of Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol.
Asked by Seconds Out if Benavidez could hold interim titles in both divisions simultaneously, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said it would be considered should he ask to do so.
“We announced previously that we sanctioned the fight against Gvozdyk for the [175] Interim and Benavidez would let us know after the fight what would be his decision … We have to wait to receive a petition. If he petitions to be keep interim titles, we will send it to the board, but we will have to wait to say what exactly he tells the WBC.”
There’s no man fans would like to see Canelo in with more than Benavidez, who himself is a two-time champion at 168. Sulaiman agrees.
“The reality is that there is no bigger fight for Canelo than Benavidez. The big fights need to take place at the specific time under the specific conditions. As I said, I’m waiting for Benavidez, to see his medical clearance, to see his decision and then we will rule on that. I certainly would like to see a Benavidez-Canelo fight, of course.”
Despite incessant calls from the challenger, fans and pundits, Sulaiman insists that his sanctioning body hasn’t been slow in attempting to make the fight happen.
“It’s not [frustrating] because that’s a very recent scenario. Media and fans have speculated with the wrong information. Benavidez was eligible as mandatory only this March, 2024. Everything before was pure speculation. Of course Benavidez looked sensational last year with his two wins.”
Canelo has previously dismissed the fight before saying he wanted $200 million on the table before considering it. Asked if he would order it to happen, Sulaiman repeated that Benavidez was first in line but wouldn’t speculate on a time frame.
“Now we’re to the point he is a mandatory and we’re gonna wait to see exactly what he decides … If he chooses to remain as mandatory, he is a mandatory. I will wait till the notification and medical clearance and then go from there.”
Canelo is expected to return in September and may face another one his mandatory challengers.
