Boxing analyst Antonio Tarver believes superstar Canelo Alvarez has earned his spot to call the shots based on his many achievements during his successful career.
Tarver feels that undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) can pick his opponents, and he doesn’t have to bend to the fans’ wishes to face David Benavidez.
Although he feels it would be nice for Canelo to give the Benavidez fight to the fans before he retires, he says he’s earned the right to face anyone he pleases during his 19-year career.
Tarver does think Canelo is ducking Benavidez because he’s not rushing forward to sign for a fight against him. However, Benavidez is doing some ducking of himself by choosing not to fight David Morrell, who called him out numerous times with no luck.
Given that Benavidez has chosen not to accept the fight with Morrell, which would easily represent the toughest fight of his career, you have to assume that his sole interest in fighting Canelo isn’t about proving he’s the best as he maintains. It’s about money. If it were proving who is the best, Benavidez would have fought Morrell.
“We have to understand that Canelo is on the business side of the game. He fought his way to the top. He fought his way to get to this position,” said boxing analyst Antonio Tarver to Fighthype when asked if Canelo Alvarez is hurting his legacy by not fighting David Benavidez.
What Tarver is skipping over is Benavidez’s lack of popularity with casual boxing fans. His fight last November against Demetrius Andrade was reportedly a PPV disaster on Showtime. In Benavidez’s previous fight, he fought on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin on June 15th.
Business-wise, it doesn’t make sense for Canelo to fight Benavidez because he’s not a PPV attraction. Moreover, he’s a light heavyweight who boils to 168. Benavidez is rumored to weigh 200 lbs, and that’s someone who shouldn’t be fighting at 168.
If the WBC had a strict 10-lb rehydration rule like the IBF, it would likely prevent Benavidez from fighting Canelo for that belt.
“Now these young guys are understanding, especially these veteran pros that came up the right way. They’re understanding our careers are short-lived. If you’re ever in a position to call shots and have things a little bit like you want them, then you got to take advantage of it,” said Tarver.
Canelo would likely fight Benavidez if he were popular and if it were financially worthwhile. However, it doesn’t make sense for Canelo to fight him because the money isn’t worth it compared to what he could get fighting other fighters. He puts on so much weight, and Canelo shouldn’t have to fight a light heavyweight or cruiserweight.
“It don’t happen a lot of times. He earned his spot,” said Tarver about the superstar Canelo. “I think he can pretty much do what he wants, but before it’s all over, give the fans that one fight that we all want to see, and I think he’ll do that.”
There’s a massive imbalance in popularity between Canelo and Benavidez. All the trash-talking Benavidez has done hasn’t helped him because it’s annoyed Canelo to the point where he doesn’t want to give in and reward him for everything he’s said.
“I think eventually before he retires, especially if Benavidez continues to look good,” said Tarver about Canelo needing to fight Benavidez for the fans. “It’s a fight that is inevitable. It has to happen. He ain’t signing up. He ain’t running to it,” said Tarver when asked if Canelo was ducking Benavidez.
Canelo-Benavidez is not a fight that is “inevitable.” Benavidez is a light heavyweight now, and that’s where he should be fighting against guys his own size instead of melting down to 168, looking for a payday from Canelo.
What’s inevitable is Benavidez fighting in his natural weight class at 175 or 200 lbs and finding out what his destiny is against the killers in those divisions.
“Of course, Canelo may have some doubts at the back of his head. As champions, we have to answer those doubts, and we always have to answer those critics,” said Tarver.
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