Via Dan Ambrose: Coach Robert Garcia says it is doubtful that Canelo Alvarez will choose to fight David Benavidez because he doesn’t want to play “another Mexican”.
Robert admits Canelo vs. Benavidez would be a great match for the boxing public, but he didn’t see it play out.
Interestingly, Robert doesn’t blame Canelo for not fighting the undefeated Benavidez (26-0.23 KOs) because he feels there are plenty of options for him from Eastern Europe and the US.
If Canelo chooses to eliminate Benavidez on a permanent basis, fans will put a lot of pressure on him to play a rematch with the WBA lightweight champion. Dmitry Bivol and fight Jermall Charlo.
It would be bad for Canelo if he chose to skip Bivol & Benavidez and focus on defending his undisputed super middleweight championship first. Caleb Factory, John Ryderand some other lower fighters.
Canelo will need to give up his 168-lb WBC title at some point as Benavidez is his must. The World Boxing Council can’t allow Canelo to avoid his mandatory Benavidez for years without looking like they’re showing a favor to the superstar.
“I enjoyed watching that fight. Sure is not“Robert Garcia said to ESNEWS when asked if we will watch Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez. “You know, Canelo said he wouldn’t fight another Mexican. I do not [blame him].
“Look, there are so many Eastern Europeans, all these black Mexican Americans, there are all the whites from the United States, Asians and whatever.
“Do we want to see it? We would love to see that game,” Robert said of the Canelo vs. Benavidez. “It was an uphill battle for both.
“Canelo is very smart in the ring, and he doesn’t go out of his way to try to please the crowd. He knows what’s good for him and he does enough to win. So he will do the same against Benavidez.
“Benavidez is the opposite. He’s going to be out there trying and turning it into a fight to please the fans. They like it, but Canelo doesn’t, and I can’t blame him.
“It was his life in there. He wants to enjoy his family. He’s probably seen former world champions who’ve been through fights, and I’m pretty sure he’s seen that.
“A lot of them have speech problems, a lot of them have memory problems, and a lot of them have balance problems. Don’t blame them either,” said Garcia.
