BOXING
Benavidez won’t fight Canelo this year
After his big win against Caleb Plant in March, the Mexican Monster called out Canelo Álvarez, but the Mexican had other plans.
Canelo Álvarez was expected to fight either Dmitry Bivol or David Benavidez after defeating John Ryder last May at Estadio Akron, in his native Guadalajara.
However, the 32-year-old boxer didn’t have his best performance against the Brit, as he was expected to show his fans a knockout victory against an opponent who was seen as a heavy underdog going into the fight.
Álvarez, who holds all the belts in the super middleweight division, wanted a fight against Bivol at 175 lbs, but the undefeated Russian was only open to facing him at 168 lbs.
Benavidez was the other fan-favorite name to fight Canelo, as he brings an aggressive and relentless pressure fight style that could give Eddy Reynoso’s fighter some trouble.
Benavidez agrees to fight Morrell Jr.
Although Benavidez’team has been very vocal on their wish of seeing David fighting Canelo next, Álvarez hasn’t looked very interested in the idea of fighting him.
Some days ago, it was reported that Canelo has two names in mind to face next, Badou Jack and Jermall Charlo, although it seems the Jack fight would be way closer, as negotiations have started and it seems there could be an agreement.
Meanwhile, seeing that Canelo seems to have rejected the possibility of fighting Benavidez, at least this year, The Mexican Monster and his management have also been working on his next clash.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz stated that Benavidez and WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr (9-0, 8 KOs) have agreed to a fight in October or November.
It’s not an easy fight for Benavidez, as the talented 25-year-old Morrell Jr is a stronger and more athletic fighter who possesses the same technical abilities.
“We have an agreement. This is the plan. We are with the same network. It will be more competitive than it would be with Canelo Alvarez”, Lewkowicz said.
“I believe Canelo wouldn’t go past six rounds with Benavidez and Morrell. It’s a great fight for the public”, he added.
Benavidez, who has expressed his will to become a boxing great and fight the top fighters, will need to be at his best to defeat Morrell Jr. in a tricky fight. If he loses, he will probably lose all the options of fighting Canelo in the future.