Benavidez Responds to Trainer Eddy Reynoso: Why Wouldn’t Canelo Want To Fight Me?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
With rumors suddenly swirling Saul “Canelo” Alvarez could fight Jermall Charlo at middleweight or super middleweight on Cinco De Mayo Weekend 2022 and negotiations were underway, Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso and World Boxing Council number one super middleweight contender and undefeated ex-world champion David Benavidez Jr. traded emotional barbs over Benavidez getting a shot at Canelo at any point in the foreseeable future. Benavidez, 25-0 with 22 knockouts, Phoenix, Arizona, a two-time World Boxing Council World Super Middleweight champion, feels he is the next best challenger for Canelo in the super middleweight weight class.
However, in a recent interview, Canelo’s manager trainer Eddy Reynoso rejected Benavidez as a legitimate or worthy opponent, criticized his low level of opposition from his viewpoint, stating Alvarez would have no reason motivation to fight Benavidez at 168 pounds. Canelo may not be the worst enemy of Benavidez. In actuality, Benavidez, a number of boxing outlets have noted, with a drug suspension and missing weight in his recent past, been his own true worst enemy, affecting his ability to dominate the 168 pounds division if he is determined to stay there. Reynoso told Diego Benavides “If you look at his record (of David Benavidez Jr.), he has not beaten anyone (of note). The most he has done is a win over Anthony Dirrell, who for me is a champion who did not have a great run, somewhat mediocre at 168 pounds. Many have called Benavidez overrated. What motivates us (Team Canelo) to fight with him (in the near future)? He has won practically nothing. He fights with C class (low level) opponents.”
In a new interview on the calling Russ Anber podcast, Benavidez shot comments back. “It kind of like frustrates me now that everybody’s coming out, and saying I haven’t fought nobody, I’ve never fought on pay-per-views, I’m nobody, this and that. You can say all that but I’m going through the ranks at super middleweight. I’ve been (ranked at) number one (for) like three fights already (at 168 pounds worldwide in the boxing rankings). I’ve been beating the people I have to beat. The people love to see me fight. So, why wouldn’t he want to fight me? I feel like it (me versus Canelo Alvarez) would be a great fight for the fans, and for boxing.” Benavidez has at least been active, with a seventh round stoppage of Kyrone Davis in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 13, 2021. Canelo has the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight belts. Lerrone Richards holds the IBO belt, and David Morrell holds the WBA regular belt. Fedor Chudonov holds the WBA Gold belt. What happens next is contingent on whether Canelo opts for Charlo, or moves up in division to fight for a share of the world cruiserweight title. Moving up could provide cause for the sanctioning bodies to vacate Canelo’s four 168 pound belts. For now, Canelo’s next move is in the air.
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