Canelo Álvarez vs. David Benavidez Fight Remains Elusive Amid Tensions

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Boxing fans worldwide continue to wait for a highly anticipated showdown between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and David “Bandera Roja” Benavidez, but the fight remains unconfirmed despite ongoing public exchanges between the two fighters.

Canelo, the four-division champion, recently expressed his disinterest in Benavidez’s approach to challenging him. During an interview with The Ring Podcast, Canelo stated, “At this point, I’ve fought everyone, every champion, the best out there. But when someone approaches you in that manner, challenging you like that, you don’t need to give them money. I can do what I want now, and I just don’t like the way (Benavidez) approached this fight.”

Benavidez, however, defended his approach, calling it part of the sport’s entertainment value. In an interview with Fight Hub, he said, “If you want people on their knees saying, ‘Oh, thank you for the fight,’ then keep fighting people like that. But that’s not how it’s going to be, and I’m not going to bow my head to anyone.”

Benavidez also revealed that he is currently focused on his upcoming fight against David Morrell and unifying titles afterward. “I’m not thinking about that fight (with Canelo). I’m only thinking about what’s on the table and what’s ahead of me. I knew this fight (with Morrell) was a possibility, we made it happen, and now I’m just focused on this and unifying the titles after,” he added.

Meanwhile, Canelo has yet to announce his next opponent, though his trainer, Eddy Reynoso, hinted that two candidates are being considered for a May fight. According to Reynoso, Christian Mbilli and William Scull are potential contenders. Scull, the IBF super middleweight champion, is seen as a viable option, as Canelo seeks to unify the 168-pound division. Scull recently confirmed that his team is already negotiating the potential bout.

Christian Mbilli, a Cameroonian-French boxer ranked No. 1 by the WBC and WBA, is also in the running. The undefeated 29-year-old boasts a record of 28 wins, with 23 by knockout, though he has yet to compete for a world title.

As the boxing world watches closely, the question remains: will Canelo and Benavidez finally step into the ring together, or will their rivalry continue to play out in interviews and social media exchanges?