By Felix Jesus Mendoza
The international boxing scene has received definitive confirmation regarding one of the most anticipated confrontations of recent years. The manager and strategist Eddy Reynoso has stated that the combat between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and David Benavidez It is no longer part of the current or future plans of the Guadalajara team, due to the different directions that the careers of both boxers have taken.
The news comes after a long period of speculation and failed negotiations that kept the Mexican and American fans in expectation. According to Eddy Reynoso, the fact that Benavídez has decided to gain weight to look for opportunities in the cruise category eliminates any possibility of a deal, as the undisputed 168-pound champion remains steadfast in his current division.
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The end of speculation according to the Canelo Crew
During an interview granted to the prestigious The Ring publicationthe coach Eddy Reynoso He was forceful when describing the exact situation of the negotiations. The San Diego Gym Leader He explained that the time to finalize this lawsuit has passed and that the difference in weight categories today represents an obstacle insurmountable for the parties involved.
“That fight against Benavidez is dead. There was a time when that fight could have been done at 168, and it didn’t happen, so it’s dead. Benavidez now fights at cruiserweight. “There is a better chance that Benavídez will fight Oleksandr Usyk than that he will fight Canelo,” verbatim sentence Eddy Reynoso in his talk with The Ring, thus closing a chapter of more than three years of constant challenges.
Separate careers in professional boxing
David Benavídez, who maintained the status of official challenger by the World Boxing Council (WBC) for a long time, has decided to advance his sporting career. after not receiving a response from the Guadalajara team. Meanwhile, Eddy Reynoso focuses on Álvarez’s preparation for his next international commitments, where he seeks to defend the super middleweight titles against other opponents from the world elite.
The final departure was consolidated after the rejected offer in May 2024, when the promoter PBC put a figure close to 60 million dollars on the table. for the Jalisco. Given the lack of agreement, Benavídez agreed to his next fight for May 2 against the Sinaloan Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírezdisputing the WBA and WBO cruiser belts, occupying the traditional “Canelo” date in Las Vegas.
Upcoming commitments for Saúl Álvarez
For its part, the team led by Eddy Reynoso already visualize the return of Saúl Álvarez for September 12 in Saudi Arabia. Under the framework of the event called “Mexico vs. the World”, it is contemplated that the Mexican boxer faces Christian Mbillimaintaining his activity within 168 pounds and completely moving away from the shadow of the “Mexican Monster”.
With this announcement, one of the most intense verbal rivalries in modern sport ends. The clarity in the words of Eddy Reynoso leaves no doubt that the champion team’s priority is to continue charting its own route, prioritizing stability at super middleweight and seeking new business horizons in the Middle East without considering Benavídez’s challenge.
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