Eddy Reynoso, the manager and head trainer of undisputed super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, does not believe David Benavidez has achieved enough to justify an immediate fight.
Benavidez, an unbeaten two-time super middleweight champion, is pressing to get a crack at Canelo.
The WBC recently approved Canelo's request to jump up by two weight divisions, to face cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu.
Also, the sanctioning body approved a fight between Benavidez and David Lemieux for the WBC interim-title at 168-pounds.
If a deal with Makabu is not finalized for next May, Benavidez is unlikely to become the backup choice.
"No way [does Canelo have to face Benavidez next]. Great boxers are the ones who beat champions. I think Benavidez is a good fighter, but up until this point, for me he has not achieved what people think," Reynoso explained to Fox Deportes.
"My respects to him, but just take a look [and tell me] how many world champions has he beaten, how many defenses of his title has he made, how many unifications has he completed. We are going to look for the challenges, we are going to look for the champions and we are going to look for what's best for the career of Saul, and if the fight with Benavidez comes around, then we welcome it... it's boxing and it's business."
Among their plans for 2022, Reynoso would like to see Canelo stage a big fight in Mexico.
"We would like [to stage a fight at the Azteca Stadium], it is the project we had in mind for this year. We missed the December date, which is when we wanted to do a fight in Mexico City or Guadalajara... that's what we want do next year. We want to fight on our land, where Saul made his pro debut."