Canelo May Be Forced To Fight Benavidez – ‘Here’s Why?’

Canelo Alvarez may be forced to fight David Benavidez if he wants to continue receiving big purses. 

Alvarez is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jaime Munguia, retaining his Undisputed Super Middleweight Title. Before and after the fight, Canelo maintained that he would fight Benavidez for a big purse. The current figure is $200 million. The Saudis are the only people capable of putting up this big purse.

They have shown reluctance to do that, with reports that they want Canelo to fight Terence Crawford instead. The PPV numbers for Munguia have been mentioned, and reports show that they are around 500,000. If Alvarez wants to justify solid guarantees, he may have to box Benavidez. 

Canelo’s PPV Buys

“If in fact the #CaneloMunguia PPV number is the purported 500,000 to 550,000, the good news for #Boxing enthusiasts is that translates to #Canelo must fight #Crawford & #Benavidez types to continue to earn the purses he’s been receiving!!! Reality is if that number is correct, it’s another #PBC financial bloodbath!!!,” Rick Glaser said 

Benavidez has been the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for over two years. The WBC has not enforced that mandatory, nor have they stripped Canelo. That is allowing Alvarez to hold up the division. If Canelo did not have all the belts, there would be less criticism over who he chooses to fight.

At a time when the number of networks is increasing, there is more pressure on promoters to get value for their money. Showtime’s exit from boxing and DAZN’s increasing influence on the market have left promoters with tough decisions to make. There is an increasing number of fighters who have left PBC since Showtime’s exit. Directing a big part of a budget towards Canelo may have to be done with bigger fights. 

Canelo’s Future

“Regarding the #CaneloMunguia PPV numbers, keep this in mind — Canelo went through a bidding war with various platforms/promoters who guaranteed him his money. For him, this really doesn’t matter You really had a bidding war that took place to see who could say that they had the services of Canelo – and really, the right to lose money. (but hey, we got Canelo!!)

“Based on the guarantees that have been reported, and with the PPV results that have been brandied about, I wonder the last time one of his PPV events actually turned a profit(GGG rematch?) But hey, it’s all good. Canelo is getting his money, regardless. And we still get to live vicariously through him,” Steven Kim reporter

Eddie Hearn remains confident that Canelo will box Benavidez over Crawford. The Matchroom promoter recalled the Mexican’s comments that he would get no credit for beating a 147 fighter. However, Canelo has shown he can backtrack on his comments. He initially ruled out Benavidez, saying he does not fight Mexicans since he represents Mexico. That decision was overturned when he fought Munguia. Since the Saudis are putting on the biggest fights, Canelo may not get the break from the fans he may have previously received. 

“I think that he would pick Benavidez over Crawford because he knows he would get the credit for that victory. Whereas he might not for fighting a guy [Crawford] that is three or four divisions lower,” Hearn revealed