In the lead-up to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s fight against Jaime Munguia during the Cinco de Mayo weekend, the Mexican champion faced numerous questions about a potential fight with David Benavidez. For over a year, Benavidez, the Mexican-American fighter, has been aggressively pursuing a match against Alvarez for the Super Middleweight title. Despite Alvarez’s apparent avoidance, the boxing community anticipates an inevitable showdown between the two.
#### The Post-Fight Drama
After Canelo’s victory, Benavidez, who was present, declined an invitation to step into the ring for a face-off, choosing instead to maintain his distance and glare at Alvarez. This incident added fuel to the already burning anticipation of a future clash.
#### Canelo’s $200 Million Demand
Canelo has publicly stated that he would be willing to fight Benavidez if he was offered $200 million. This declaration has been met with skepticism, as many interpret it as a way for Alvarez to avoid the fight. However, there are potential backers, such as the Riyadh organizers in Saudi Arabia, who are known for offering exorbitant sums to secure high-profile fights.
#### Financial Feasibility
While the idea of paying Canelo $200 million seems far-fetched, it raises important financial considerations:
– **Undercard Quality:** Allocating such a large sum to Canelo would likely result in a weaker undercard, featuring less-known fighters.
– **Revenue Generation:** For the event to be profitable, it would need to generate at least $500 million in revenue, a feat only achieved by Floyd Mayweather in his fights against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor, both generating $600 million.
Given these challenges, it seems unlikely that the $200 million demand could be met, suggesting that Canelo might indeed be using this as a way to avoid the fight.
#### The Saudi Connection
Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted major boxing events, offering lucrative deals to top fighters. If they decide to meet Canelo’s demand, it could set the stage for a historic event. However, the feasibility of such a payout remains questionable, and the potential impact on the overall quality of the event must be considered.
### Conclusion: Does Canelo Want the Fight?
The $200 million demand appears to be an almost insurmountable barrier, leading many to believe that Canelo might not be genuinely interested in fighting Benavidez. Whether this is a strategic move to secure a monumental payday or a tactic to avoid a challenging opponent, the boxing world remains eager for a definitive answer. The anticipation and drama continue to build, keeping fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.
