Terence Crawford has offered his take on why a mega fight between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez continues to float in the ether.
During his time as WBC ‘interim’ champion, Benavidez had persistently called for a shot at Alvarez, who reigned supreme as undisputed super-middleweight champion between 2021 and 2024.
The Mexican then reclaimed his undisputed crown last year, outpointing William Scull, before losing a convincing unanimous decision against Crawford in September.
But while many still regard Canelo as the leading fighter at 168lbs, especially following Crawford’s retirement, the 35-year-old has never quite shaken off accusations that he avoided Benavidez.
In search of alternative opportunities, Benavidez moved up to 175lbs in 2024 and was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion last year, before defending his title with a seventh-round finish over Anthony Yarde in November.
Now bidding to become a three-division world champion, the 29-year-old looks to claim Gilberto Ramirez’s WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on May 2.
As for an elusive fight with Canelo, it appears that Benavidez now represents an even more formidable challenge, making it increasingly unlikely that the pair will ever collide.
Having previously shared 12 rounds with Alvarez, Crawford offered his thoughts while speaking with Joe Rogan, suggesting that Canelo views the size of Benavidez as a significant factor.
“I just think that Canelo, in a sense, knows how big Benavidez [is] going to come in the ring.
“Benavidez is a great fighter, but he’s a big fighter, he’s a tall fighter, and I just think Canelo [is saying to himself]: ‘Why would I wanna get in the ring with this guy that’s going to be massive, come fight time?’
“Canelo’s not a big guy. [But] he’s been fighting big guys his whole career, and beating them with skills.
“I [also] think the disrespect he got from Benavidez had persuaded him to go elsewhere.”
Canelo has been promised a world title fight by Turki Alalshikh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this September, while Benavidez aims to craft a Hall of Fame career across multiple divisions.
