Andre Ward, a former two-weight world champion and Hall of Famer, has voiced concerns over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s legacy in light of his hesitation to fight David Benavidez. Despite ongoing discussions, Alvarez and Benavidez have yet to finalize a deal for a highly anticipated match. Alvarez, moving past Benavidez, recently announced Jaime Munguia as his next opponent for the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where he will defend his undisputed 168-pound championship.
In a conversation with The Breakfast Club, Ward emphasized that avoiding a fight with Benavidez could tarnish Alvarez’s reputation. Ward's commentary reflects broader concerns about Alvarez’s choice of opponents and the impact on his claim to being the world’s best fighter. He specifically criticized Alvarez’s victory over a past-prime Sergey Kovalev, challenging the merit of such wins in asserting Alvarez’s dominance in the sport.
Ward acknowledged that not every fight for Alvarez needs to be against top-tier opponents. However, he argued that Alvarez’s reluctance to regularly challenge himself against the best available contenders casts doubt on his status as boxing’s elite. Ward’s critique centers on the principle that a fighter’s greatness is truly tested only against equally formidable opponents, a benchmark he implies Alvarez has yet to consistently meet, especially in the context of a potential bout against Benavidez.
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