- Boxing. David Benavidez, 'Mexican Monster' too big and strong for Andrade
- Boxing. Canelo Alvarez es on Benavidez and enjoys Abu Dhabi GP
David Benavidez did what he needed to do in the ring to put on a strong performance against Demetrius Andrade and be confirmed as the mandatory challenger for Canelo Alvarez, but if the undisputed super middleweight champion doesn't want to give him the opportunity, the 'Red Flag' as he is nicknamed, has other plans and possible opponents in his sights heading into the 2024 event.
On Saturday night in Las Vegas, Benavidez came out determined to leave no doubt that he deserves a fight with Canelo. He submitted his opponent, hurt him and forced him to stop the fight to win by technical knockout, and if he was already considered before as the man who would have to fight Canelo, he took another very important step to make that fight happen.
"Canelo has no one to fight, if he wants to give me the fight today, tomorrow or whenever he wants, I'll be here. My job is not complete yet. If Canelo doesn't want to, I will beat anyone else. I'm going to keep fighting," said the Mexican Monster about a 168-pound division that includes fighters like David Morrell, Jaime Munguia and soon to be Jermall Charlo.
What Benavidez and all the fans want is the fight between him and Canelo, as the interim champion is aware that he is better than the undisputed and all 168-pound champion.
"Is that what you guys want, against Canelo? Let's do it... I want you to know who the 168 [pound] champion is and that's what I proved today. I'm just going to beat everybody they put in front of me, I'm the best in the division with Canelo or without Canelo... we're going to give the people what they want, Canelo," he said to the cheers of those present at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
But if that fight does not materialise, David Benavidez's goal would be at 175 pounds, where he would seek the opportunity to face an opponent like Dmitry Bivol, the one who beat Canelo in 2022, determined to prove that it is the era of the Red Flag.
"I feel very comfortable with everything, inside the ring, with the fans, when you enjoy it as much as I do you become an extremely dangerous fighter. Welcome to my era."