Boxing trainer Robert Garcia shared his perspective on why Canelo Alvarez opted to face Jaime Munguia instead of David Benavidez on May 4th.
The significant increase in guaranteed earnings for a bout against Benavidez did not tempt the already financially successful Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) into taking the fight. The prospect of an additional $20 million for fighting Benavidez was deemed insignificant compared to Canelo’s substantial wealth.
Garcia highlighted that Benavidez’s negative remarks about Canelo played a part in the decision. Rewarding Benavidez for disrespectful comments might empower him to continue such behavior, potentially leading to more matches in the future. This ongoing situation could pressure Canelo to keep fighting against Benavidez.
Is $20 million not enough of a difference?
Referring to Canelo’s stance, Garcia mentioned, “Canelo is not afraid of facing Benavidez; it’s about his pride. He is essentially saying, ‘I’ll do what I want and won’t let external pressures dictate my choices.'” Garcia expressed these sentiments in an interview with 210BoxingTv via YouTube.
Given Canelo’s substantial net worth, a $20 million disparity between fighting Benavidez and Munguia did not sway his decision-making. Winning a more lucrative deal might have persuaded Canelo to take the fight, but the current financial offer did not justify the effort.
While a considerably higher payout could have incentivized Canelo to face Benavidez, the existing financial terms did not meet the necessary criteria for a rewarding match.
Garcia further emphasized Canelo’s independent mindset, likening it to a defiant child resisting external expectations and criticisms.
The possibility of Canelo fighting Benavidez heavily depends on financial considerations, particularly if promoters can secure a substantial deal to make the fight worthwhile for Canelo. Garcia doubted the financial feasibility of this matchup without external support from platforms like Amazon Prime.
The Munguia Battle: A Prelude to Future Encounters?
Garcia speculated that Canelo’s upcoming fight against Munguia might pave the way for a potential Benavidez clash in the future. However, this scenario hinges on various financial and strategic factors that need to align for the fight to materialize.
Gvozdyk as a Preliminary Assessment
Garcia hinted at a strategic move by Canelo’s team involving Oleksandr Gvozdyk, a fighter managed and promoted by Canelo’s team, potentially as a test to assess Benavidez’s abilities indirectly. The fight between Gvozdyk and Benavidez could provide critical insights into Benavidez’s performance against a shared sparring partner of Canelo.
Benavidez’s aspiration to compete against elite fighters like the winner of his upcoming bout could steer future matchups towards significant financial gains, possibly hosting matches in lucrative venues like Saudi Arabia.
The strategic placement of Gvozdyk by the World Boxing Council could pose a challenge for Benavidez, considering Gvozdyk’s ranking and skill set, potentially leading to unforeseen outcomes in their match.
