David Benavidez, the undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion, has issued a direct challenge to Canelo Alvarez, urging the Mexican boxing icon to step up and face him in the ring.
Benavidez, known for his aggressive style and unblemished record, believes that now is the opportune moment for their long-anticipated fight to materialize.
However, he made it clear that Alvarez would need to jump up a weight class in order to make the fight happen, opening the door to what could prove to be an all-time classic between Mexico’s top fighters in the ring.
In a recent interview on the Inside the Ring Show, Benavidez laid out his terms for the bout: “I wasn’t gonna go down to 168 [pounds], but now if Canelo wants to come up, then come.”
Canelo still reeling from Crawford loss
Benavidez’s challenge comes after Alvarez’s recent loss to Terence Crawford, which has sparked discussions about the future of Alvarez’s career.
Benavidez sees this as a pivotal moment to secure a fight that has been years in the making. His journey to this point has been marked by determination and a series of impressive victories.
After claiming the WBC interim light heavyweight title in 2022 with a third-round knockout of David Lemieux, Benavidez solidified his position in the division.
In February 2025, he overcame a knockdown to defeat the previously undefeated David Morrell by unanimous decision, officially becoming the WBC world light heavyweight champion.
Despite his success, Benavidez has faced challenges in moving up the ranks due to the dominance of fighters like Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
However, with Bivol’s recent decision to relinquish his title to pursue a lucrative trilogy bout with Beterbiev, Benavidez sees an opening to claim undisputed status in the light heavyweight division.
Benavidez’s challenge to Alvarez is not just about securing a high-profile fight, it’s about proving himself as the top fighter in the division. He stated: “After I beat [Dmitry] Bivol, I’ma have all belts. So after that happens, now I’m the one who has the power.”
By positioning himself as the undisputed champion, Benavidez aims to put pressure on Alvarez to accept the fight on his terms.
Alvarez’s response: Will the fight happen?
Alvarez, who has previously moved up to light heavyweight to defeat Sergey Kovalev in 2019, has yet to publicly respond to Benavidez’s challenge.
However, his recent loss to Crawford and the shifting dynamics in the light heavyweight division may influence his decision.
He has also shown resistance to facing his countryman in the past, and it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to venture into relatively unfamiliar territory by stepping up a weight class.
For Benavidez, the path is clear. He plans to face Anthony Yarde in November 2025 and is targeting a unification bout with Bivol afterward. Should he succeed in these endeavors, he will hold all the major titles in the light heavyweight division, strengthening his position in negotiations with Alvarez.
With Benavidez’s challenge now on the table, the boxing world eagerly awaits Alvarez’s response and the possibility of a bout that could define the future of the light heavyweight division.
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