Stephen Espinoza has suggested that the winner between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade could face Canelo Alvarez on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2024.
Reports indicate that Benavidez and Andrade are in talks for a potential fight in November. Both boxers are undefeated in a bout that would pit two former world champions against each other.
The winner, therefore, would be in a great position to face Canelo on one of the biggest weekends in the sport.
However, before that can even happen, Canelo must overcome Jermell Charlo on September 30th, 2023.
And provided that he does, as he is expected to do, Espinoza revealed there was a possibility of another mega-fight next year.
“Look, whoever wins in Benavidez and Andrade is going to make a pretty good case to be the next Canelo opponent. So that will be a big a lot of momentum, and that’s going to be a pretty big statement for whoever takes that fight,” Espinoza
Canelo On Benavidez
Meanwhile, Alvarez shut down questions about Benavidez as he gears up to face Charlo.
Alvarez will defend his super-middleweight titles against Charlo, who will move up two weight classes, in a fight where he is the heavy favorite.
Although that may be the case, there was an expectation on Alvarez to face Benavidez. The latter is the WBC interim champion, having beaten Caleb Plant.
And since Canelo has also gotten one over Plant, there were calls on Canelo and Benavidez to get in the ring.
The failure to do so led to suggestions that Canelo was ducking the ‘Mexican Monster,’ who is seen as the most dangerous man in the division.
“I don’t know, we don’t know [if I will fight Benavidez on my last fight deal]. We’re 100% focused on this fight, and then we’ll see, but it’s always a chance. “Yeah. Remember when everyone was asking when I was happening with Golovkin? ‘Oh, Golovkin. Oh, Golovkin.’ I’m tired because I always fight the fighters, you say,” Canelo
Benavidez is a naturally big 168-pounder, who has spoken about his desire to move up to light heavyweight.
While Canelo has fought at 175 pounds, his best days have been at 168. That is why the time for a fight with Benavidez may be limited.
And yet, Canelo did suggest that whoever he did fight, there would always be other names out there that were being lined up.
“When I fight with [Austin] Trout, they say I’m ducking Trout. When I fight with other fighters, they say I’m ducking [Gennadiy] Golovkin, I’m ducking Erislandy Lara. Every time I beat every single fighter they say I have this other fighter… they find somebody else. I’m ducking nobody,” Alvarez said