WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) says a fight with Canelo Alvarez can only happen at light heavyweight.
Benavidez’s comments come as he prepares to move up to challenge WBA and WBO Cruiserweight Champion Zurdo Ramirez in the run-up to Cinco de Mayo on May 2. Prior to his run at light heavyweight and now cruiserweight, Benavidez was the WBC interim super middleweight champion for over two years. That made him Canelo’s mandatory, who was then the undisputed super middleweight champion.
Despite calls for the fight, the WBC did not strip Alvarez nor did they order the mandatory. Canelo also requested between $150-200 million for the Benavidez fight, which was seen as a way to price himself out. Canelo has previously boxed at light heavyweight when he defeated Sergey Kovalev to secure the WBO belt in 2019 and his subsequent loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. For Benavidez, any fight must happen at 175 pounds.
“When I am at cruiserweight, I don’t want to go up too heavy and I don’t want to come in too heavy either, because I still want to go down to 175lbs. If the fight happens with Canelo, it is going to be at 175lbs, it is not going to be at super-middleweight. That is even if it does happen. That is what I am saying,” Benavidez saidÂ