“That’ll be a great fight,” David Benavidez unveils back-up plan if Canelo Alvarez showdown slips through the cracks

Three-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez hopes to fight Canelo Alvarez soon. Benavidez has been calling out Alvarez for quite some time now, holding tenure as the interim WBC super middleweight titleholder. He was next in line as a legitimate challenger.

But that had taken a back seat to Alvarez and Jermell Charlo squaring off. Recently, Benavidez declared his intentions to fight David Morrell if the fight with Alvarez falls apart. The super middleweight champion spoke with FightHype’s Sean Zittel on his upcoming fight. Speaking of a dedicated backup and his endgame, he said:

If that fight doesn't happen, then I think I'm gonna fight David Morrell. and then try pick up another belt, you know. My goal...my end goal is to really get all four belts. That's really what I want to accomplish at this weight class before I leave. And if I can't do that, then I'll go get an interim title with Morrell...That'll be a great fight...

Benavidez and Morrell, who picked up his WBA middleweight strap in 2020, had been going at it for a while. While Alvarez had been occupied elsewhere, Benavidez had been eager to face Morrell, the undefeated world super middleweight, time and again. Both boxers bring inexhaustible fighting pressure and athleticism to the game. Benavidez’s record is at 23 KOs out of 27 bouts. Morrell sits at 9-0, 8 KO.

Recently, Alvarez also dominated Jermell Charlo to remain the undisputed super middleweight champion. There were some doubts regarding Canelo’s performance, but he proved otherwise.

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David Benavidez’s aspirations to fight David Morrell draws positive fan reaction

In the recent past, Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of “then” WBC interim champion David Benavidez had given vital updates about his potential opponents. Regarding champion David Morrell, he had said that both fighters had “reached a deal in principle” to meet on a Showtime pay-per-view at year-end.

More recently, in an interview, Benavidez revealed he is willing to take up that fight if his current one against Canelo Alvarez falls through. This has drawn positive reactions for the hopeful bout.

Benavidez, a 3-time WBC champion who has made multiple title defenses, was respectful of Morrell. But he made it clearly known who he thinks is #1 in the division. He had previously said:

Yeah, Morrell is a good fighter, he’s a tough fighter, but I’m better than anyone in this weight class. I can show it. If the fight is tough, that is good because it brings the best out of me...

Benavidez vs Morrell would be an electric fight. Sign me up. ??

— The Tories Out (@TheToriesOut) November 7, 2023

This was in regard to Morrell answering his callout, after Morrell defeated late replacement Yamaguchi Falcao, last April.

In case you missed it:

• David Benavidez sends ultimatum to Canelo Alvarez after constant dismissal for boxing superstar
• 18 years and $200 million riches later, legendary Canelo Alvarez finally reveals date for retirement from boxing