Momentum is quietly building behind a fight long anticipated by boxing fans worldwide. While Canelo Alvarez is preparing for a historic showdown with Terence Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium, one of Mexico’s most feared contenders has signaled the possibility of an even bigger bout on the horizon.
David Benavidez, the WBC light heavyweight champion, recently revealed that Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and driving force behind the Riyadh Season events, is interested in matching him with Canelo as the final bout of Álvarez’s current four-fight deal. Though both fighters are on divergent paths for now, Benavidez left the door wide open.
“Turki Alalshikh told me that he’d want me to fight Canelo at the end of the four-fight contract. He said that, but at the end of the day, it comes down to Canelo. Canelo doesn’t want to fight, he doesn’t have to fight nobody. We’re just gonna see. I’m not gonna say that we’re never gonna fight. We just gotta see what happens,” Benavidez told Clockedn’Loaded.
A fight years in the making
The idea of Canelo vs. Benavidez has stirred public demand for years, ever since both fighters shared the super middleweight division. While Benavidez has consistently expressed interest in the matchup, contractual and strategic decisions have kept the bout from materializing. Now, with both fighters aligned with Riyadh’s boxing expansion, that window could open once more.
Currently, Benavidez is reportedly in negotiations to face Callum Smith in October, continuing his campaign at light heavyweight. Canelo, meanwhile, remains the undisputed champion at 168 lbs and is focused on his next opponent — the undefeated Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs).
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Canelo’s next test: Crawford at Allegiant Stadium
Canelo’s bout against Crawford will mark one of the biggest events of the year, taking place at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Despite his legacy and championship pedigree, Álvarez will face a dangerous challenge in Crawford, who seeks to jump two weight divisions in pursuit of boxing immortality.
SurveyShould Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez after Terence Crawford?
Should Canelo Alvarez fight David Benavidez after Terence Crawford?
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Should both fighters emerge victorious in their respective next steps, a potential clash between Canelo and Benavidez would not only electrify fans but also redefine boxing’s current landscape — especially if it becomes the centerpiece of the final Riyadh Season card.
