Mike Tyson is the latest prominent boxing figure to demand a fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and David Benavidez.
Canelo has been linked with a showdown against the WBC ‘interim’ light heavyweight champion for a number of years now, with the rumours first intensifying when Benavidez became mandatory to the Mexican’s WBC world title at 168 lbs.
The patience of ‘The Monster’ began to wear thin, as he opted to make the move up to light heavyweight rather than continue waiting for Canelo to finally agree to a clash between the pair.
Speaking to Marca, ‘Iron’ Mike has accused the 34-year-old of being ‘afraid’ to face Benavidez, as the heavyweight legend question the heart of the Mexican icon.
“What’s wrong with Canelo? Is he afraid of losing? Doesn’t he want to give the fans the fight they want to see? Don’t you want to give the fans the fight they want to see?
If I were him, I would accept the fight with Benavidez and show the world that he is the best. But it seems he doesn’t have the courage to do it; It is a shame because he has a lot of talent but he lacks heart.”
In a separate interview with ESNEWS, Tyson spoke highly of ‘The Monster’, giving Canelo and any other challengers at 168lbs ‘no chance’ of beating the 28-year-old.
“[Benavidez] is so underrated but so over-polarised here. Listen, I’d be afraid to fight him too if I was in that division. No one even has a chance against him, and I’m talking facts.”
Benavidez returns to the ring February 1 2025 against WBA ‘regular’ 175lb king David Morrell, with Canelo expected to face Terence Crawford in a super fight in the first half of the new year.
