Why did Canelo ask for $200 million to fight Benavidez? What did the Mexican say?
Saul Alvarez talked about the reasons that led him to ask for a huge amount of money to take on ‘The Mexican Monster’.
Saul Alvarez will soon return to the ring to take on Edgar Berlanga in his scheduled fight for September. The Mexican star will defend his super middleweight crown against the young, undefeated Brooklyn native in a clash where he’s expected to prove too strong and retain his belts.
Canelo has been heavily criticized for this movement, as fans believe he keeps on cherry-picking opponents in safe fights instead of taking risks and taking on the best boxers.
Many expected to see Canelo finally facing David Benavidez at 168 in a fight for all the marbles at super middleweight, but the Guadalajara champion asked for a large amount of money to get to a deal with Benavidez and make it happen. Canelo stated he wouldn’t step in the ring to face’ Bandera Roja’ for less than $200 million, which made the boxing community angry for asking for such a request.
Canelo answers: why $200 million to fight Benavidez?
Despite all the criticism he has dealt with over the last months, Canelo’s stance remains the same. He knows he’s the cash cow of boxing and believes he has earned the right to ask for massive purses thanks to his career achievements.
“Obviously, he is a risk. He is a great fighter and he brings to the ring on fight night 25 pounds more than me, but I don’t care about that. If the money is right, I can beat that guy tomorrow”, he said to YouTube Swaye Universe’s channel.
Alvarez believes Benavidez is a threat not only for his boxing IQ and talent but also for his size. The Mexican Monster is way bigger than him and is looking to reign supreme at 175 lbs, a division where he could fight Dmitry Bivol, who already beat Canelo at light heavyweight.
Canelo and Benavidez may never meet inside the ring, considering the conditions that Eddy Reynoso’s fighter set to make it happen. Only the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, seemed the one who could offer that money for a potential showdown against Terence Crawford but he has now said he’s not interested in Canelo’s demands.