Marco Antonio Barrera has said Canelo Alvarez must fight David Benavidez for the fans.
Alvarez is the current Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion. In his last fight, he defended his belts with a one-sided win over Jermell Charlo. Following the victory, there were calls on Canelo to face Benavidez since the Mexican Monster came through his fight with Demetrius Andrade with a win.
Cinco De Mayo Weekend and Mexican Independence Day were put forward as possible dates. But reports stress Canelo could face Jermall Charlo and Terence Crawford in 2024, ruling out the Benavidez bout. But Berrera was clear Canelo needed Benavidez on his resume.
Barrera On Canelo
“Four division champion, but he’s missing David Benavidez. I believe he could fight Benavidez. That’s a fight that we want to see. People would start to give him credibility. But he needs that push. It’s up to the boxer to stand up to that challenge,” Berrera said
Nevertheless, Canelo infamously stated that he did not want to fight Mexicans, given that he was one himself. Those comments would hold some weight if he was not being linked with Jaime Munguia. The Mexican is currently undefeated with a record of 43-0, which includes 34 KOs.
He stopped John Ryder in his last bout in the ninth round and dropped him four times during the fight. That is something Alvarez failed to do, and Munguia has stated that Alvarez’s side has already been in touch about making a fight.
Canelo Vs. Munguia
“We started conversations. They called us. For me, it will be a real honor to be in the ring with Canelo, if that’s possible. I have never called him out or disrespected him. I want my position by fighting in the ring And of course, we like the fight, but we’re not calling him out. I’m proving that I am deserving to be in the ring with anyone at 168 pounds,” Munguia stated
Barrera was known for fighting his fellow Mexicans, most famously taking on Erik Morales in a thrilling trilogy. Barrera would get the better of Morales, with a 2-1 record. This was even though he ended up losing the first fight. Barrera finished his career with a record of 67-7, with 44 knockouts, including a big win over Naseem Hamed. If Canelo does not face Benavidez, it is already billed as the biggest duck in ‘boxing history.’
Canelo’s Legacy
“If Canelo doesn’t fight Benavidez, is this the biggest duck in boxing history? You are a champion, and he is the bonified #1 contender, and you even got a guy like Munguia and Morrell, who are dangerous as well. You’re talking about the biggest duck in boxing history. This is in your same weight class, and you are the champion. Is Benavidez being ducked more blatantly than that? I think he is at this point,” Paulie Malignaggi said
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