Eddy Reynoso, trainer and manager of Canelo Alvarez, has continued to defend the undisputed super middleweight champion’s decision not to agree to face David Benavidez. 

In recent days, Canelo has come under heavy criticism for the continued refusal to face his compatriot Benavidez, who has been the WBC’s number one rated contender at 168lbs for three years. 

Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Benavidez, has lambasted Canelo for not agreeing to face his charge, and the current WBC interim champion has sought possibilities elsewhere, at light-heavyweight. 

On Thursday, the WBC agreed to sanction a WBC interim title fight between Benavidez and the WBC’s number one rated contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175lbs, with the Ukrainian confirming to BoxingScene talks had commenced and a verbal agreement for contest was in place. 

Speaking to ESPNmx, Reynoso was confident a fight between the multi-weight champion Canelo and Benavidez would not define Canelo’s legacy in the sport.

Canelo’s career long-trainer cited examples of fighters who never fought their main rivals and how those missed opportunities for big fights ultimately did not alter their standing in the sport post-retirement

Reynoso also suggested a fight between the two super middleweight kingpins will only happen if certain conditions and stipulations are met, muddying the waters further.

“The fight with Benavidez may take a while or maybe never happen, but it depends on many things,” Reynoso told ESPNmx.

“There were fights that never took place, that of Lennox Lewis with Riddick Bowe, that of Julio César Chávez with Terry Norris, that of Érik Morales with Juan Manuel Márquez, and none of them stopped going to the Hall of Fame for that. 

“There were others [fights] that, although they took time, ended up being made, like that of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Among the fighters, there is no fear. We just hope that the conditions are met [to face Benavidez].”