“Does that make sense? It’s not a real fight. Real fighters fight real fights,” Benavidez Sr. said. told the media when asked about Canelo facing Mbilli.
He also suggested the timing of the announcement was about attention rather than substance, suggesting it was positioned to build visibility rather than deliver a meaningful match.
Benavidez Sr. made his stance clear when discussing where Canelo stands today.
“Canelo Alvarez doesn’t motivate me at all. I don’t care what Canelo Alvarez does. Canelo Alvarez was one of the best fighters in his time, but right now the decline is very, very low. He doesn’t bring excitement anymore. He doesn’t bring that ‘wow, we want to see him,'” he said.
He continued by saying the sport has already moved past that version of Canelo.
“His era is over. It’s time to put him to rest. New prospects are coming, fighters with more hunger, fighters who want to take risks, fighters who don’t mind losing their undefeated record and want to give good fights to the public,” Benavidez Sr. said. added.
On the Mbilli fight itself, Benavidez Sr. said the result is not a given for Canelo.
“To be honest, it could be another loss for him. Mbilli is a bit fresher. I don’t think he is an elite fighter, but they are trying to put fighters that he can beat. Not guaranteed, but such fighters,” he said.
He also questioned the appeal of the game.
“No one wants to see that fight. It’s not an exciting fight. He doesn’t bring any more excitement to the fight. He didn’t bring any excitement to the fight,” Benavidez Sr. said. said.
He concluded by pointing to the opening he sees for his own side, calling it a “huge opportunity” for David Benavidez as attention begins to shift to younger fighters pushing forward.
