Canelo Vs. Benavidez: Why Isn't This Fight Happening?

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Contractual and Financial Hurdles

Negotiating a fight of this magnitude is fraught with complexities, and the Canelo vs. Benavidez matchup is no exception. The primary obstacles lie in the contractual and financial aspects of bringing these two champions together.

Competing Promoters and Networks

The involvement of different promoters and television networks significantly complicates negotiations. Canelo Alvarez is primarily associated with Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, while David Benavidez is aligned with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and Showtime. This creates a significant hurdle.

• Matching Network Broadcast Rights: Securing a deal that satisfies both networks' broadcasting rights is a major challenge. Each network wants exclusive rights, or at least a significant share of the broadcast revenue, leading to potential standoffs.
• Conflicts of Interest: The promoters themselves have vested interests in their respective fighters and may prioritize their own financial gains over a unified deal. This can lead to disagreements about purse splits and promotional responsibilities.
• Financial Stakes: The financial stakes are incredibly high. Both Canelo and Benavidez command substantial purses, and their respective teams will negotiate aggressively to secure the most favorable terms. These demands might simply be incompatible, creating an impasse.

The Power of Purse Bids

Purse bids, a process where promoters can bid against each other for the rights to promote a fight, can further complicate matters. They can often lead to unexpectedly high costs, potentially making the fight economically unfeasible for one party.

• How Purse Bids Work: If negotiations between promoters fail, a purse bid is held where promoters submit sealed bids. The highest bidder wins the right to stage the fight.
• Strategic Use of Purse Bids: Purse bids can be used strategically. A promoter might deliberately submit an extremely high bid to force the other party to withdraw, preventing the fight from happening.
• Unfavorable Financial Outcomes: A purse bid can result in an unexpectedly high cost for one promoter, potentially exceeding their projected revenue and making the event financially risky.

Canelo Álvarez's Strategic Approach

Canelo Álvarez is renowned for his meticulous fight selection. While a Benavidez fight would be a spectacular event, it also presents considerable risks.

Canelo's Carefully Chosen Opponents

Canelo's recent fight choices reveal a preference for strategically less risky, yet financially lucrative, matchups.

• Recent Opponents: Canelo's recent opponents, such as Golovkin (again), Plant, and Bivol, while challenging, were arguably lower-risk propositions compared to Benavidez.
• Ranking and Risk Assessment: Choosing opponents with a lower ranking minimizes the risk of a damaging defeat, a key factor in maintaining Canelo's lucrative brand image.
• Legacy and Profitability: Canelo prioritizes maximizing his legacy and financial returns, carefully balancing high-profile fights with manageable risk.

Weight Considerations and Style Matchups

Benavidez's aggressive fighting style and power pose a significant threat to Canelo.

• Styles and Strengths: Benavidez is known for his relentless pressure and devastating power, a stark contrast to Canelo's more calculated and technical approach.
• Risk vs. Reward: From Canelo's perspective, a Benavidez fight represents a higher-risk, higher-reward scenario. The risk of defeat could damage his carefully cultivated image and earning potential.
• Weight Class: Maintaining weight and ensuring optimal performance in the middleweight division could be a significant factor in Canelo's decision-making process.

David Benavidez's Rise and Potential

David Benavidez, a formidable champion in his own right, continues to press for a fight with Canelo.

Benavidez's Undisputed Title Reign and Achievements

Benavidez's impressive record and championship wins solidify his claim to a title shot against Canelo.

• Impressive Record: Benavidez boasts a remarkable record, showcasing his skill and dominance in the middleweight division.
• Championship Wins: His championship victories further legitimize his claim to a fight against the top contender.
• Notable Victories: Specific victories against high-profile opponents underscore his potential to defeat Canelo.

Maintaining Momentum and Public Pressure

Benavidez is actively building public pressure to force a fight.

• Public Statements: Benavidez's outspoken calls for the fight are actively generating buzz and fan demand.
• Actions and Promotion: He is constantly promoting the fight, using social media and interviews to keep the dream alive.
• Influencing Public Opinion: His strategy is aimed at swaying public opinion in his favor and putting pressure on Canelo to accept the challenge.

Conclusion

The Canelo vs. Benavidez fight remains elusive due to a complex interplay of contractual issues, Canelo's strategic fight selection, and the inherent difficulties of coordinating promoters and networks. While the financial and promotional obstacles are substantial, the demand for this superfight persists. The clash of these undisputed middleweight titans would undoubtedly be a monumental event.

Call to Action: The Canelo vs. Benavidez fight is a dream matchup for boxing fans worldwide. Keep checking back for updates on this potential superfight and let's hope the hurdles can be overcome to deliver this ultimate clash of middleweight titans. Stay tuned for more news on the potential for a future Canelo vs. Benavidez match!