David Benavidez moved up in weight and became unified cruiserweight world champion last month, leading to Canelo Alvarez suggesting that a fight between them will never happen because not only will Benavidez never make super-middleweight again, but he will struggle to drop back down to light-heavyweight.
Benavidez demanded a fight against Alvarez when campaigning at 168lbs, with his WBC interim world title making a strong case for it to happen. His interest was not reciprocated, and, rather than waiting around, ‘The Mexican Monster’ chose to move up to light-heavyweight where he soon became a world champion.
Benavidez moved up once again in May and emphatically dethroned unified titlist Gilberto Ramirez in one of the standout performances of 2026 so far. While weighing up his next move, he again called for a fight with Canelo.
The Mexican icon, however, has ruled out the possibility of it ever taking place, believing that Benavidez will be unable to make 175lbs in future.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Benavidez disputed the claims.
“I can still be semi-complete at 175, he fought like two or three times there. If he wants to make the fight there, I can lose that weight.
“He is saying it’s impossible, that I can’t go down. I can go down, and if they want that fight, I am 100% ready to give this fight.
“Now, I am kind of frustrated by it. Every time that I do something or win a belt, win a fight, Canelo is there [being mentioned in the background], Canelo, Canelo, Canelo. I can’t do anything there, I want that fight too, [just] as you [fans] want the fight.”
Canelo is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, September 12, taking on Christian Mbilli in an attempt to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight world title.
