Eddie Hearn Expects Canelo Alvarez to Face David Benavidez After Andrade Bout
In a recent revelation, Eddie Hearn has indicated that Canelo Alvarez might be inclined to take on David Benavidez if the latter secures a victory against Demetrius Andrade on November 25th. With Benavidez holding the WBC interim super middleweight championship, a win against Andrade would make a strong claim for a shot at Canelo's undisputed championship. Hearn expressed his belief that Benavidez is likely to emerge victorious against Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs), a former two-division champion. The WBC has already mandated that Canelo must defend his title against the 'Mexican Monster' by next March. This leaves the door open for Benavidez as a formidable challenger, especially with limited alternatives for Canelo. Notably, Canelo has shown no interest in facing Terence Crawford or seeking revenge against Dmitry Bivol. Eddie Hearn emphasized that Canelo's reputation could suffer if he chooses to fight the inactive middleweight champion, Jermall Charlo. Such a decision could potentially draw heavy criticism from fans and experts. Hearn believes that the focus should be on facing young, hungry fighters who pose a genuine challenge, just as Benavidez does. Hearn also noted that Canelo Alvarez is not one to shy away from any challenge and is open to fighting opponents who are willing to provide a genuine test. However, he emphasized that the terms of the fight must be right. The upcoming bout between Benavidez and Andrade is expected to be highly competitive, with Andrade's slick style and movement presenting a challenge for Benavidez's knockout-oriented approach. Hearn acknowledged that fighters like Andrade, who exhibit respect and fearlessness, have posed significant challenges to Canelo in the past, such as Caleb Plant and Billy Joe Saunders. While Canelo vs. Benavidez would be an intriguing matchup, some may argue that Benavidez should prove himself first by taking on Dmitry Bivol for a fair comparison of skills and readiness. Eddie Hearn also weighed in on the possibility of Terence Crawford moving up three weight classes to face Canelo Alvarez. Hearn expressed doubts about Crawford's size and whether he would have what it takes to compete with the pound-for-pound king, despite Crawford's winning mentality. As the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcome of the Benavidez vs. Andrade bout, the potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez continues to generate considerable excitement and intrigue. While there is much anticipation surrounding future matchups, Canelo remains a central figure in the sport, and his next opponent will undoubtedly be a topic of great interest.
