Teofimo Lopez, the WBO super-lightweight champion, didn’t hold back when asked about a potential showdown between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez. Following Benavidez’s impressive stoppage victory over Demetrius Andrade in November, Lopez made his stance clear: Benavidez has what it takes to beat the reigning king of super-middleweight.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Lopez praised Benavidez’s performance and intelligence in the ring, saying, “He did great. Awesome job, man. I think he definitely showed that he is that guy in the division. He’s so smart.”
While acknowledging Canelo’s experience and skill, Lopez believes Benavidez’s current form gives him the upper hand. However, he doesn’t see the fight as a walk in the park. “[This version of him] beats Canelo. I like Canelo. He’s a well-rounded fighter. But if Canelo isn’t light on his feet, Benavidez can take it. Not saying it’ll be easy, because Canelo is smart-he’ll break his arms if he gets the chance.”
A fight fans are desperate to see
The idea of a clash between Canelo and Benavidez has been circulating for years, yet it seems further away than ever. Benavidez, who spent years chasing a fight with Canelo at super-middleweight, moved up to light heavyweight to keep his career momentum. In June, he secured the WBC interim title by defeating Oleksandr Gvozdyk and is now preparing to face WBA regular champion David Morrell in February.
Meanwhile, Canelo continues to dominate the super-middleweight division, holding all the belts and recently defeating Edgar Berlanga by unanimous decision in September.
Despite the hurdles, the possibility of a Canelo-Benavidez matchup continues to ignite debates among boxing fans and experts alike. Big names in the sport, like Lopez, are keeping the conversation alive, further fueling excitement.
Lopez’s unique perspective
Interestingly, Lopez recently started working with Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s longtime trainer, which could add a new dimension to his perspective. But for now, Lopez remains firm in his belief that Benavidez has the edge, saying, “If both fighters master their styles, the real winners will be the fans.”
Whether this dream fight becomes a reality remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the boxing world is eager to see if Lopez’s bold prediction will come true.
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