Canelo Alvarez may have walked away with another unanimous decision win, but it’s not the kind of victory that earns respect in the fight world. On May 3, he defeated William Scull to once again become the undisputed super middleweight champion. Yet, the bout is being remembered more for what didn’t happen in the ring than for what did. It set a disappointing record for the fewest punches thrown in a 12-round fight in four decades.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who represents David Benavidez, didn’t hold back when reacting to the bout. He criticized both fighters for failing to engage and even went as far as to say he fell asleep watching it. “It was shameful,” Lewkowicz told Pro Boxing Fans. “Canelo didn’t want to take a risk.”
A long-awaited showdown still out of reach
Boxing fans have been clamoring for a clash between Alvarez and Benavidez for years. But despite the constant rumors, the fight has yet to materialize. While Canelo remains at 168 lbs, Benavidez has moved up to 175 lbs, further complicating the potential matchup.
According to Lewkowicz, the real reason the fight hasn’t happened is simple: Canelo isn’t up for it. “He’s not capable of fighting Benavidez,” he said bluntly. “That is the truth.”
Lewkowicz praises risk-takers, slams the cautious
Lewkowicz didn’t just criticize Canelo, he also took aim at Scull, calling his performance “shameful” and suggesting it hurt the reputation of Cuban fighters. He contrasted it with the courage shown by other boxers, like David Morrell, who stood toe-to-toe with Benavidez in a recent bout.
“Fighters need to show guts,” he said. “You’re paid big money, you have to take risks.”
As fans continue demanding high-stakes matchups, Canelo’s cautious approach is starting to wear thin. The pressure is mounting, and unless he agrees to face Benavidez soon, the narrative may shift from legacy to avoidance.
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