Canelo--Why not just fight Benavidez?

Canelo has aged rapidly and his team and himself no longer think he can easily beat Benavedez, basically see him as too big a risk. I didnt think Benevidez looked that great with plant but Canelo has fallen off rapidly, he loooked like crap against a 40 year old GGG, he couldnt stop bum Ryder and now they are matching him with the smaller Charlo brining him up 2 divisions, that is pathetic and they should strip him of his belts, that doesnt count as a bonafide title defense for super middle weight against a 154 pounder.

Because he doesn't have to at the moment. Canelo has other options and probably sees Benavidez as an unnecessary risk. Let's see if he fights him before the end of this PBC deal or if/when it's mandated.

Because he don't want that work. {"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\taddtext-com-MTU1-Nj-Uw-Mj-Qz-Nj-Q.png Views:\t0 Size:\t63.3 KB ID:\t31917689","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"31917689","data-size":"custom","height":"477","title":"addtext-com-MTU1-Nj-Uw-Mj-Qz-Nj-Q.png","width":"337"} Good to see that you're agreeing Canelos biggest challenge is a Mexican and NOT the the supposed "black athletic American"

He should be fighting Benavidez, no argument here. Now that the narrative is that Benavidez is the far superior boxer than all the supposed "black athletic Americans" Canelo was supposedly ducking.

dude come on, you dont sign and start off with the hardest match up in boxing thats just how it works unfortunately Now, sheesh if he doesnt fight him next or at the very least 3rd yo.....

Because he don't want that work. {"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\taddtext-com-MTU1-Nj-Uw-Mj-Qz-Nj-Q.png Views:\t0 Size:\t63.3 KB ID:\t31917689","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"31917689","data-size":"custom","height":"477","title":"addtext-com-MTU1-Nj-Uw-Mj-Qz-Nj-Q.png","width":"337"}

Because his team and promoters are not fan boys. They understand that Benevidez is Canelo largest threat. And when I say threat, not some scorecard deceision like Bivol. Benevidez is much more dangerous. A fight with Canelo could be very damaging to Canelo physically. Benevidez has a tremendous style advantage over Canelo and it's obvious.

It’s because he won’t risk losing the Latino fanbase. It reminds me of Khan delaying the Brook fight because he never wanted to risk losing the UK fanbase. I actually think Canelo beats Benavidez too. Benavidez would test his gas tank in the later rounds but I suspect Canelo will still have enough rounds in the back to get the decision.

I am not understanding what the big deal is. Dude has earned that title shot and is the number 1 contender. What's the point of having rankings if no one is going to enforce them? Benavidez is good but I am not buying that monster of the division stuff. It won't be an easy fight but I predict that Canelo breaks him down in the later rounds. I hear a lot of the Canelo fanboys talk about who did he fight and that he just wants a payday--but how can one make that argument when he is ranked #1 and is a former champion? Canelo never showed any interest in the belt when Benavidez was the champion. It's like dude will fight any and everyone but the number 1 contender in his own division. How is Charlo worthy of a title shot when he has never fought in the division before? Dude could have at least picked someone in the top 10 for the division. Whether you are a Canelo fan or hater--this is not a good look for him. I am a fan of the sport--long before Canelo and long after Canelo and this is not a good look for the sport. No man is bigger than the sport. Let's be clear Canelo isn't the only one who does this. To marinate it and PBC want that too they've been in no rush to seriously make it. The plan is probably for Canelo to fight Jermell. Then maybe Andrade or someone in May 2024 then Sept 2024 Benavidez

If he fights him last he will be 34 years old. Past his prime and the fight loses value especially when David spanks him.

The only reason I can see is that from his and PBC’s perspective they want to save that for the last fight to milk the most out of it. In reality, now he’s with PBC, he should be fighting him now. It’s the best fight to be made. He can also fight Charlo after, if he wins. Or if he were to lose then there’s the rematch. I like Canelo but it’s not a good look.

If you understand boxing you will realize Benavidez is a horrific match up for Canelo. 6'2 power puncher with fast hands, endless gas tank, big volume, aggressive durable and skilled. The last thing a low volume 5'7 plodder with poor gas wants. He has been carefully avoiding him for years, but it hasnt been as obvious because he has excuses like picking up belts, but when the excuses dried up we see him chasing old cruiser weights, middleweights and jnr mw's to avoid him. Its literal desperation. He will never fight him because the risk of getting his ass kicked by a mexican is too risky.