In the wake of Canelo Alvarez becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion, questions had arisen as whom the Mexican maestro will look forward to as his next opponent at 168, until it was the undefeated David Benavidez who stepped in and claimed himself to have earned a contest against the world champion. However, Canelo’s trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso thinks otherwise and believes Benavidez is yet to achieve the spot of earning the chance to fight the four belt titleholder.
David Benavidez has not achieved what people think: Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso
Just days after Canelo Alvarez defeated Caleb Plant, Showtime President Stephen Espinoza revealed a conversation he had with Canelo’s team, and according to the team, they are eyeing Canelo to fight either David Benavidez at 168 or make a return to middleweight and take on the reigning WBC champion Jermall Charlo.
Reacting to this, Benavidez revealed in an interview that he believes he was the only one left in the division that Canelo’s team would pick up next. The former two time super-middleweight champion also added that he has the “experience, footwork, speed” to step inside the squared circle with Canelo.
However, Canelo recently expressed his desire to move up two weight classes to cruiserweight and challenge WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu and the WBC had approved the request.
This not only makes Benavidez fight unlikely even as a backup fighter, but also with Eddy Reynoso’s comments during an interview with Fox Deportes, ‘El Bandera Roja’ won’t be challenging Canelo anytime soon.
“No way [does Canelo have to face Benavidez next]”, said Reynoso, “Great boxers are the ones who beat champions. I think Benavidez is a good fighter, but up until this point, for me he has not achieved what people think.”
“My respects to him, but just take a look [and tell me] how many world champions has he beaten, how many defenses of his title has he made, how many unifications has he completed. We are going to look for the challenges, we are going to look for the champions and we are going to look for what’s best for the career of Saul, and if the fight with Benavidez comes around, then we welcome it… it’s boxing and it’s business,” Reynoso added. [H/T Boxing Scene]
Highlights:
- Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso dismisses David Benavidez’s claim of having earned a fight
- Canelo Alvarez aims to move up to cruiserweight and face WBC champion Ilunga Makabu
