David Benavidez expresses his frustration over the possibility of Canelo Alvarez opting to fight Jaime Munguia instead of him next May. Despite his impeccable record, Benavidez feels sidelined, but he’s not letting that deter his future plans. Should the highly-anticipated bout against Canelo not materialize, Benavidez has his sights set on WBA “regular” super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr., followed by a potential ascent to the 175-pound division.
Benavidez’s attention remains on his upcoming bout with Demetrius Andrade on November 25th, headlining a Showtime PPV event at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, where his brother, Jose Jr., also competes against Jermall Charlo. Yet, the looming question of a Canelo clash hangs over Benavidez, who seems to have come to terms with the unlikelihood of that fight and is ready to move on.
Acknowledging Canelo’s freedom to choose his opponents, Benavidez concedes there’s little he can do to sway the Mexican superstar’s decisions. This acceptance marks a shift from his previous persistence and seems to signal his readiness to carve out his own path to stardom, independent of Canelo’s trajectory.
While Benavidez respects Munguia’s toughness and heart, he predicts a Canelo victory by body shot if their fight goes ahead. Nevertheless, he’s prepared for a shift to super middleweight to challenge Morrell Jr. and, if necessary, move up to light heavyweight to pursue his goal of becoming a unified champion, demonstrating his determination to succeed at the highest levels, with or without Canelo.
Benavidez’s strategy for making weight has become a precise science, but he admits a move to 175 would offer more comfort. Yet, he’s not rushing the transition, aiming to secure significant fights at 168 before making the jump. As he faces the realities of the boxing business, Benavidez is setting his sights on creating his legacy, one fight at a time.
Image Credit: PBC