Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has maintained a firm stance on the prospect of a showdown with David Benavidez, citing a massive financial threshold and physical concerns as the primary barriers. The undisputed super-middleweight champion has publicly stated that it would take a guaranteed purse between $150 million and $200 million to share the ring with David Benavidez. This figure represents a massive surge from the reported $35 million payout Saul “Canelo” Alvarez earned for his fight against Jaime Munguia, a demand the champion believes is necessary to justify the risk involved.
The saga between the two fighters has stretched across several years, even as David Benavidez served as the WBC mandatory challenger at 168 pounds. Despite the public clamor, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has navigated a different path, choosing a high-profile bout against Edgar Berlanga in the past rather than facing mandatory challenger William Scull at that time. That Berlanga fight proved to be a commercial success, generating 650,000 pay-per-view buys and a $17 million live gate.
com/terence-crawford-canelo-alvarez-retirement-outlook-2026/”>Terence Crawford has suggested Canelo Alvarez may be far from retirement as he continues to dictate terms at the top of the sport.
The tension between the two camps is not merely financial. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has labeled the approach from the Benavidez side as “disrespectful,” specifically pointing to verbal attacks from David Benavidez’s father, Jose Benavidez Sr., dating back to 2022. The champion has maintained that he feels no obligation to provide a massive “payday” to those who use insults to secure a fight. With a professional record of 62-2-2 and 39 KOs, the Mexican star continues to leverage his status as the sport’s biggest draw to choose his opponents.
Saul Canelo Alvarez cites massive weight discrepancies
Beyond the negotiating table, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has highlighted a significant physical advantage he believes David Benavidez holds. The champion claims that David Benavidez often enters the ring weighing 25 to 30 pounds more than him on fight day. This rehydration factor has become a central part of why Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is hesitant to agree to the matchup without historic compensation. He has questioned the fairness of the bout given the size difference, a concern echoed by other figures in the sport.
The Benavidez camp has attempted to bridge the gap with their own offers. Reports indicate that David Benavidez was previously offered a fixed purse of $70 million to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, an offer the champion allegedly declined. Furthermore, Jose Benavidez Sr. claimed their team even signed off on a minimum $5 million guarantee to make the fight happen, only for the champion’s representatives to reportedly cease communication. These conflicting narratives have only fueled the frustration of fans waiting for a resolution.
While Saul “Canelo” Alvarez focuses on his own schedule, David Benavidez has remained active in higher weight classes. He recently captured unified titles at cruiserweight with a stoppage victory over Gilberto Ramirez and currently holds the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship. Despite these hardware additions, David Benavidez continues to pursue the Alvarez fight, insisting he can still make the 175-pound limit. Nevertheless, some trainers believe Mbilli presents a challenge for Canelo that cannot be overlooked in the immediate future.
Upcoming schedule and the move to William Scull
The immediate future for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez involves clearing his mandatory obligations. He is scheduled to face William Scull in May 2025 for the IBF title, an opportunity to become an undisputed champion at 168 pounds for the second time. Following that encounter, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is slated to face Christian Mbilli on September 12. These bookings suggest that a Benavidez fight remains low on the champion’s priority list for the 2025 and 2026 calendars.
For David Benavidez, the path forward involves defending his new status at light-heavyweight and cruiserweight. He reportedly declined a significant clash with Jai Opetaia to keep his options open for a potential Alvarez fight, though the Mexican superstar recently dismissed Benavidez’s career moves as “not my problem.” As long as the $200 million price tag remains on the table, the likelihood of these two meeting in the ring stays slim.
com/vincenzo-gualtieri-vs-amari-jones-ibf-eliminator-details/”>mandatory eliminators are the heart of the sport, the commercial reality of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez often supersedes sanctioning body rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Saul Canelo Alvarez not fought David Benavidez?
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has cited several reasons, including a demand for a purse between $150 million and $200 million, concerns over David Benavidez weighing 25 to 30 pounds more than him on fight night, and what he perceives as a “disrespectful” approach from the Benavidez camp.
What are the upcoming fights for Saul Canelo Alvarez?
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is scheduled to fight William Scull in May 2025 for the IBF super-middleweight title. Following that, he is set to face Christian Mbilli on September 12. He remains the undisputed champion in the division as he looks to add more gold to his collection.
What has David Benavidez accomplished while waiting for the fight?
David Benavidez has moved up in weight, becoming the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion and recently capturing unified cruiserweight titles after defeating Gilberto Ramirez via stoppage. Despite his success in higher divisions, he maintains that he can still make 175 pounds for a clash with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
