Benavidez tears into Canelo in explosive new interview
In an interview on Inside the Ring, David Benavidez has accused Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez of being “scared” of facing him.
Despite his September 13 loss to Terence Crawford, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez remains the axis around which much of the boxing world still turns.
Álvarez may no longer carry championship belts or the aura of an undisputed king, but the Guadalajara native continues to be the sport’s most sought-after fighter. Promoters chase him because a Canelo fight night means millions in revenue. Every time he steps into the ring, he moves the market like no other Spanish-speaking boxer can.
That blow he took in Las Vegas didn’t just strip him of titles - it forced him to embrace redemption as the next chapter of his storied career. Simply returning to the ring isn’t enough. Canelo is chasing a return to the summit before his career winds down. And standing in his path is a name that’s echoed for years like an irritating refrain: David Benavidez.
“He’s definitely scared of me”
The Mexican-American has never stopped throwing verbal punches. For over three years, his message has been consistent: he wants the fight. He insists Canelo has avoided him. And now, with a WBC light heavyweight title in hand, Benavidez believes he finally has the bait to lure Álvarez into the ring.
“The way I’ve seen him handle my presence is: he’s definitely scared of me,” Benavidez told an interview on the boxing show Inside the Ring this week.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) left the super middleweight division last year, worn down by the wait. The calendar caught up with him, and he made the leap. Now reigning at 175 pounds, he’s preparing for his first title defense against Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in Riyadh on November 22. The bout will be part of The Ring IV, one of 2025’s marquee boxing events, and a chance for Benavidez to further cement his undefeated résumé.
He maintains that Canelo never wanted the fight when they shared a division - that if Álvarez had seen any vulnerability, he would’ve taken the opportunity long ago.
“He should have taken the fight with my way back then,” Benavidez said. “Because if he had a chance to beat me, it would have been back then. He has no chance of beating me now, especially now I’m getting all this confidence. I’m stepping into my prime.”
Benavidez argues that bigger, stronger opponents have always troubled Álvarez. He brings up the loss to Dmitry Bivol as Exhibit A.
“He sees a lot of things in me that he can’t stop. Not only does he see speed, does he see power, but he sees a lot of heart,” Benavidez declared.
On the other side, Canelo rejects the narrative that he’s been ducking Benavidez. During his training camp for Crawford, he insisted he’s never turned down an offer to face him. He even left the door open for a future showdown - though without committing to a timeline or terms.
As Canelo deals with the aftermath of defeat and plots his return to championship glory, Benavidez brings hunger, youth, and the brash energy of a fighter eager to usher in a new era.
First stop: Riyadh
Riyadh will host the next chapter in Benavidez’s journey, with Yarde playing the role of dangerous hurdle. A win would only amplify Benavidez’s voice. And if he can follow that by defeating Dmitry Bivol and unifying titles, the entire landscape of the division could shift.
Boxing thrives on stories of redemption and pursuit. In Canelo and Benavidez, we have both.
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