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Canelo Alvarez will be an interested observer once David Benavidez and Caleb Plant clash in 2023.
The winner of the bout will become the mandatory challenger for the undisputed super middleweight champion Avlarez’s 168-pound WBC title.
The 32-year-old Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) knocked out Plant last year in the 11th round of a competitive fight.
The former two-time super middleweight champion Benavidez has been pounding the table calling for a shot to fight Alvarez, but the Mexican superstar has appeared disinterested in a potential fight.
In May, BoxingScene.com senior writer and columnist Keith Idec reported PBC offered $55 million to Alvarez to fight Benavidez, but Alvarez instead opted to face light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, a bout he eventually lost.
Now, it would appear Benavidez can have a breakthrough via the path of a sanctioning body if he beats Plant.
“It’s going to be a very competitive fight between [Benavidez and Plant.] I personally believe that Benavidez wins,” Alvarez told bet365. “I am here to face the best and make the best fights in boxing. I am interested in all those fights. Whatever leads me to make history. That is why I am here.”
Benavidez’s father and trainer Jose Sr. recently said Alvarez will vacate the WBC title and not fight Benavidez if it ever came down to it.
Alvarez has claimed that Team Benavidez talks a lot of sh!t, but they have accomplished nothing.
“Everybody would like to fight me – it’s not uncommon,” said Alvarez. “I am a fighter who likes challenges.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.