Canelo NEEDS to fight Benavidez

Yes, The only other fight that would make sense for Canelo right now is Beterbiev, but I'd rather see him against Benavidez. A rematch with Bivol would end up pretty much the same, I think. Otherwise there's no one.

Thing is, I think Benavidez would make Canelo look very good also. He won't have to go look for him and he matches Benavidez for strength and power, but is more skilled. It's not like Beterbiev who's a freak even at 175. Benavidez chance would be to outlast Canelo with his greater stamina, but I think Canelo will gradually be breaking him down. Benavidez is there to be hit and the only one below CW who is strong enough to be that and still beat Canelo is Beterbiev, I think.

But I hope to find out for sure, because Canelo vs Benavidez would just be a great, great fight.

 

Canelo doesn't need anyone.
Benavidez needs him.

 

Ya I don't know, it would be kind of like an old midget fighting a young giant. I think Canelo is one of the best of his generation but that's not a fight I'd be eager for him to take if I was signing his checks. Think PBC is going to marinate this one. If I know Canelo though I think he's game for the kid.

 

This will always be talked about as a duck by Canelo if it doesn't happen and I think Canelo cares about his legacy.

Also, it must be the fight that will generate the most. Benavidez has three straight wins now over fairly well known names and has an exciting style and he's Mexican. Bivol of course is the one active fighter who has beat Canelo, but he doesn't have the style to make for a great fight. Beterbiev would be a cracking challenge and fight, but he isn't very well known outside of boxing die hards and bigger risk than Benavidez.

Benavidez-Canelo has everything to make for a great fight commercially and sportingly, so if Canelo doesn't need that why even stay in the game? With all the money he's made, why even stay around if not for fights that the boxing public wants to see?

 

The risk is that it marinates until it gets rotten. I don't think Benavidez will stay around for much longer at SMW and at 175 there's a monster's ball with Bivol and Beterbiev holding the titles. If either of them gets to Benavidez before Canelo there's the risk he takes a L and loses much of his market value. Also what is there for Canelo to do otherwise, drag Crawford up three weight classes? Lose another UD to Bivol?

Beterbiev would be a fantastic challenge and I'd love that fight, but that would be more risk for probably less money, so I don't see the angle from Canelo's point of view.

Benavidez is a great match-up, suits Canelo stylistically, is the only worthwhile challenge at the weight he's champion in and is probably the fight the fans want, so what is there to wait for? Sully his reputation by dragging up yet another fighter several weight classes?

 

If he is scared of Benavidez, he shouldn't go near Beterbiev. I was extremely impressed with the monster tonight, subtle movement and underestimated defensive skills, great variety of shots and good punch selection, good engine and his chin seems very good.

Beterbiev is a bigger, stronger beast.

 

Beterbiev probably hospitalizes him. I'm not speaking metaphorically either, I think he genuinely ruins Canelo, unless you get a very cautious ref in there who knows to stop it in a timely manner, even with the cash cow involved. Doubt it ever happens though, the Bivol fight seems to have humbled the "two division Undisputed" dream of his.

 

Yep, Beterbiev brings everything Benavidez brings, just more so.

But I would feel very good about my chances after last night if I was Canelo. Andrade was landing plenty of shots before he got caught and overwhelmed. Benavidez wouldn't walk through Canelo's punches like that and he would't hurt and overwhelm him like that either.

Benavidez relies on his advantages in strength, chin and power, advantages I don't see him having over Canelo. What he does have is a big advantage in height and reach, but he doesn't really utilise that. So in that sense I think he's perfect for Canelo.

For Benavidez to win I think he really need to utilise his jab like GGG did with that overhand right behind it. But he hasn't showed yet that he can fight like that. He likes to get to closer ranges and there I think that Canelo's faster, sharper and actually also harder punching will gradually break him down.

Guys like Dirrell, Plant and Andrade aren't at their best at the range where Benavidez managed to bring it to, but Canelo thrives there.

 

There can be no more excuses, it’s the biggest fight at 168 and poses an actually challenge to him. Munguia would be a waste of a fight.

 

The stage is set, this is the fight

 

I would think with the rumors of Canelo fighting Munguia in May that he might fight Benavidez in September. If he doesn’t then it’s clear he doesn’t want to take the risk. If he fights and beats Mungia next there’s not a lot of big payday options left for him. If he moves up again he will lose again to Bivol and lose to Beterbiev. So we will see what he does because he’s the one calling the shots at the moment.

 

its time to fight benavidez, munguia has fought nothing but c level journeyman past prime fighters and doesnt deserve a canelo payday, benavidez has cleared the road to fight canelo.

 

Absolutely agree. It's really **** he hasn't faced him in 2023

 

Most definitely. It needs to happen. Come on Canelo son.