“Does it make sense? That’s not a real fight. Real fighters fight real fights,” Benavidez Sr. said to the media when asked about Canelo facing Mbilli.
He also suggested the timing of the announcement was about attention rather than substance, hinting that it was positioned to build visibility rather than deliver a meaningful bout.
Benavidez Sr. made his position 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 let him rest. New prospects are coming, fighters with more hunger, fighters who want to take risks, fighters who don’t care about losing their undefeated record and want to give good fights to the public,” Benavidez Sr. added.
On the Mbilli fight itself, Benavidez Sr. said the result isn’t a given for Canelo.
“To be honest, it could be another loss for him. Mbilli is a little bit fresher. I don’t think he’s an elite fighter, but they’re trying to put fighters that he can beat. Not guaranteed, but fighters like that,” he said.
He also questioned the appeal of the matchup.
“Nobody wants to see that fight. It’s not an exciting fight. He doesn’t bring any more excitement to the fight. He hasn’t brought any excitement to the fight,” Benavidez Sr. said.
He closed by pointing to the opening he sees for his own side, calling it a “great opportunity” for David Benavidez as attention begins to move toward younger fighters pushing forward.
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