Even as he officially closes the door on a fight that once captured the imagination of the entire boxing world, David Benavidez has found room for reflection, openly considering whether Saul "Canelo" Alvarez truly deserves to be remembered as an all-time great of Mexican boxing.
For years, the boxing public clamored for a collision between Benavidez and Canelo, viewing it as the most compelling matchup in the sport. Those hopes, however, have officially been declared dead in the water, with the paths of both fighters diverging significantly across weight classes and promotional landscapes. Yet, despite the frustration that defined his long quest to secure a shot at the undisputed crown, Benavidez has chosen to look at the bigger picture, offering high praise for the man who stood in his way for years.
The saga of the elusive matchup dates back to 2022, when Benavidez delivered a definitive third-round stoppage victory over David Lemieux to claim the vacant WBC interim super-middleweight title. That explosive performance at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, effectively established the heavy-handed powerhouse as the most dangerous and logical leading contender to challenge Canelo, who reigned supreme over the 168-pound division.
At the time, the boxing community expected the two forces to collide relatively quickly. Instead, the promotional hurdles, mandatory positioning, and tactical delays stretched out the waiting game. It was not for another 16 months that the Mexican-American puncher was finally, officially confirmed as the WBC’s mandatory challenger for Canelo’s championship. That confirmation arrived following Benavidez’s dominant unanimous decision victory over former world champion Caleb Plant in March 2023, a grueling bout that proved Benavidez possessed not only devastating power but also the technical boxing ability to navigate a 12-round distance against elite opposition.
Rather than waiting indefinitely on the sidelines for a title shot that seemed increasingly unlikely to materialize, Benavidez chose to stay active and cement his legacy in real-time. He accepted another high-risk interim title defense later that year, putting on a masterclass before stopping the undefeated and notoriously tricky Demetrius Andrade in six rounds in November 2023.
It became increasingly clear through the promotional roadblocks that the chances of a showdown with Canelo were incredibly slim, leading Benavidez to make the calculated decision to move up in weight rather than let his prime years slip away waiting for a single signature fight.
Demonstrating his ambition and fearlessness, Benavidez stepped up to the 175-pound light-heavyweight division, quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with before setting his sights even higher. His ascent continued when he campaigned at cruiserweight, making a thunderous statement by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a vicious sixth-round stoppage victory in May.
In securing that statement win, the 29-year-old solidified his status as one of the most destructive fighters in the sport by becoming a three-division world champion. Yet, despite having conquered multiple weight classes and establishing his own dominant run near the top of the sport, Benavidez is still frequently met with questions from media members and fans regarding whether a bout with Canelo will ever eventually materialize.
Addressing the topic during an appearance on the Last Stand Podcast, Benavidez finally put the speculation to rest, admitting frankly that there is no chance of him ever sharing a ring with the 36-year-old superstar. At the same time, the undefeated powerhouse demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship and maturity, taking the opportunity to acknowledge the revered status that the Mexican icon holds within the rich history of the sport.
Reflecting on Canelo’s storied career and the legacy he has built over decades at the highest level of professional boxing, Benavidez offered high praise for his long-sought rival. At the end of the day, he’s a great fighter, a legend, and Benavidez noted that he would ultimately like to be a legend just like him and follow closely in his footsteps. Expressing a deep admiration for the cultural and sporting standard set by his predecessor, Benavidez added that he would like to be considered a great Mexican legend like him one day.
When viewed through the lens of boxing history, that sentiment resonates deeply with observers and analysts alike. Indeed, most purists and historians would readily agree that Canelo is firmly established as one of Mexico’s greatest fighters in history, sharing a pantheon of greatness with legendary warriors of the past such as Julio Cesar Chavez and Salvador Sanchez, who carried the rich fighting heritage of their nation with distinction on the global stage.
Canelo’s credentials speak for themselves, built upon a foundation of multi-division dominance and decades of facing the best opposition available. He stands as a four-division world champion who carved his name into the record books by becoming the undisputed super-middleweight king, unifying all four major sanctioning body belts in the 168-pound weight class before eventually suffering a setback when he lost those titles to Terence Crawford last September.
While the historic showdown between Canelo and Benavidez will ultimately go down in boxing lore as one of the great fights that never happened, Benavidez’s willingness to look past the rivalry and honor the achievements of his compatriot underscores the mutual respect that often exists beneath the surface of the sport’s most compelling narratives.
