Canelo Alvarez’s $200 Million Demand: A Boxing Dilemma of Fair Play or Delusion?
The boxing world is abuzz with speculation as Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed champion, reveals his staggering demand of $150-$200 million to step into the ring against David Benavidez, the Interim WBC super middleweight champion. But is this demand a tactic to avoid a potentially explosive matchup, or does Alvarez truly believe he deserves such a princely sum for the risk he would undertake?
For almost two years now, Alvarez has seemingly ignored Benavidez, his mandatory challenger. Despite calls from fans to defend his throne against the formidable Benavidez, Alvarez’s focus seemed elsewhere. Now, as he lays down his conditions for the fight, questions arise about his motives.
Benavidez, with an impressive record of 28-0 with 24 knockouts, brings to the table explosiveness and a fan-friendly style, making him a tantalizing opponent for Alvarez. Yet, the champion’s demand for a Mayweather-Pacquiao-esque buildup and payday raises eyebrows. Is he prioritizing business over legacy?
With Alvarez’s staggering career earnings exceeding $550 million, the demand for double his previous highest payday seems audacious. Fans may see this as a ploy to avoid Benavidez, especially considering the lack of offers from Alvarez’s camp.
However, the possibility of external forces, such as Saudi Arabia, stepping in to facilitate the bout looms large. With the power and resources to orchestrate high-profile matchups, Riyadh could be the key to turning Alvarez’s demand from delusion to fair play.
In the end, whether Alvarez’s demand is justified or merely a negotiating tactic remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the boxing world eagerly awaits to see if this saga of demands and negotiations will culminate in a showdown for the ages.