Former two-weight world champion and Hall of Famer Andre Ward has weighed in on the ongoing discussions between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and David Benavidez. Ward believes that Canelo's reluctance to face Benavidez could tarnish his legacy in the eyes of boxing fans. In recent months, negotiations between Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) have hit roadblocks, leading Canelo to choose a different opponent for his upcoming Cinco de Mayo fight date. Ward expressed his concerns, stating that Canelo's legacy could be compromised if he continues to avoid facing Benavidez, his longtime WBC mandatory challenger at 168 pounds. During an interview with The Breakfast Club, Ward highlighted the potential repercussions for Canelo's legacy. He emphasized that fans may perceive the refusal to fight Benavidez as a strike against Canelo's credibility, even labeling it as "a failure to meet him in the ring." Ward, who acknowledged Canelo's skills, questioned the legitimacy of certain fights in Alvarez's resume. Specifically, he criticized the timing of matchups and the ages of opponents during those fights. Ward pointed to Canelo's bout against Sergey Kovalev, stating that Kovalev was not in his prime, questioning Canelo's claim of being the best in the world. While Ward acknowledged that every fight doesn't need to be against a top opponent, he argued that Canelo should regularly challenge himself to solidify his status as the best in boxing. In the world of boxing, where legacy plays a crucial role, Canelo's choices in opponents could significantly impact how he is remembered in the sport's history. #CaneloAlvarez #DavidBenavidez #AndreWard #BoxingLegacy #BoxingChampion #CincoDeMayoFight #WBCMandatory #LegacyRisk