David Benavidez has given his verdict on whether any active super-middleweight has what it takes to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo regained the super-middleweight world title on Saturday with a decision victory over Christian Mbilli, laying down the gauntlet to his 168lb rivals and once again making himself the man to beat at 168lbs.
Whilst the chance to become a three-time undisputed super-middleweight world champion will be on his mind, Alvarez immediately called for a rematch with Terence Crawford – the only man to defeat him at 168lbs.
That interest has not yet been reciprocated, meaning that Canelo may be forced to find an alternate dance partner, but Benavidez told Fight Hub TV that he does not believe there to be a current super-middleweight good enough to beat Alvarez.
“I think so [that he beats everybody else at super-middleweight]. Honestly, I don’t think there is any fights big enough for him.”
The reigning WBA and WBO cruiserweight world champion went on to declare that, if he had his way, the one super-middleweight that he would be interested in seeing Alvarez take on is Janibek Alimkhanuly – who recently moved into the division after reigning as the unified middleweight world champion.
“The only fighter that I would love to see him against, which would be a great fight, would be Janibek, but I don’t think that would ever happen.”
Alimkhanuly is scheduled to challenge for the vacant WBO super-middleweight world title on Saturday, January 23, when he will take on Denmark’s Jacob Bank.
