Jose Benavidez Sr has given a damning assessment of Canelo Alvarez’s future in the sport, believing WBC champion Christian Mbilli could send him into retirement.
The pair will square off for Mbilli’s world super-middleweight title on September 12, offering Canelo the chance to reclaim one of his belts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It was a unanimous decision victory for Terence Crawford that relieved Alvarez of his undisputed crown last September, with the Mexican subsequently undergoing elbow surgery.
At this stage, many suspect that the 35-year-old is significantly past his best, perhaps only one or two fights away from calling time on his decorated career.
Most, however, would still consider him a clear favourite against Mbilli, who was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement last year.
The Frenchman had retained his ‘interim’ title with a 10-round draw against Lester Martinez, featuring on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford in Las Vegas.
Canelo, meanwhile, has long been competing at the top level while, to some extent, being accused of ducking three-weight world champion David Benavidez.
Speaking with Fight Hub TV, Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose, shared his thoughts on the four-division world champion’s upcoming assignment against Mbilli.
“I think his era is done – reflexes, speed, power [and his] legs are not there, so we see Canelo declining little by little.
“It could be another loss for him [against Mbilli]. Mbilli’s a little bit fresher, but I don’t think he’s an elite fighter.
“At the end of the day, they’re trying to put [Canelo in with] fighters he can beat.”
While giving Mbilli some semblance of a chance, it seems Benavidez is more convinced that the 31-year-old has been carefully selected as a beatable opponent for Canelo.
