David Benavidez has been incessantly linked to a fight with Canelo Alvarez over the past couple of years, however it seems like Terence Crawford has pipped him to the post.
A deal has been reportedly agreed for Crawford to face Canelo on September 13th at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas – and Benavidez has chimed in with his thoughts on the fight.
Many observers believe Alvarez will simply be too big for ‘Bud’, who will have to jump up two full weight divisions to take on the unified super middleweight champion.
And although the Nebraska man, who started his career as a lightweight, will be at a significant size disadvantage, Benavidez is not ruling him out.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, ‘The Mexican Monster’ explained that the time Crawford has had to build his frame as well as his ‘high IQ’ could see him prevail against four-weight world champion, Canelo.
“It’s a good fight. I think it’s a good fight for both of them, but I think it’s more important for Crawford than for anybody.
“If anyone can beat Canelo, I think Crawford could. I do think the size could play a massive difference, but it’s a good fight.
“I don’t want to seem like a hater. I’m happy for Crawford that he’s able to get a big fight like that.
“I give him a 7/10 chance of winning. Crawford is good, he’s known that he’s going to fight Canelo for a long time, so I’m sure he’s been working on the weight.
“When you’re a person who has a high IQ like Crawford, you have a high chance of making the other uncomfortable and hurting him.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins.”
And though many feel Canelo is not keen on a showdown with Benavidez, the LA native believes it will materialise before all is said and done.
“I think it will happen, if I keep what I’m doing. I’ve shown I’m a big enough name, I’m making my case and I still have a lot of room to go. It’ll make for a bigger fight.”
Benavidez himself is of course fresh off a big win, widely outscoring Cuban dangerman David Morrell in an entertaining light heavyweight dust-up this past weekend.
Despite chasing the Canelo fight for years, the 27-year-old has said he now has his eyes set on becoming undisputed champion at 175lbs, and as such will be a keener observer than most on the February 22 rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
