Canelo Alvarez demands $200 million to fight David Benavidez
Canelo Alvarez is requesting a $200 million payout to face undefeated fighter David Benavidez. This massive financial demand comes as Benavidez holds an interim WBC light heavyweight title and the boxing landscape shifts following the exit of Showtime from sports programming.
The financial barrier
Canelo Alvarez demands $200 million to fight David Benavidez. I view this price as a way to avoid the mandatory challenger. Benavidez holds a 29-0 record and the interim WBC light heavyweight title. He moved to 175 pounds because the WBC did not force a fight at 168 pounds.
Benavidez defeated Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. He moved to 175 pounds after those wins. He now seeks to face the winner of the Beterbiev and Bivol fight. He recently won the interim title at 175. I think his move to 175 pounds makes a return to super middleweight unlikely.
Canelo says Benavidez weighs 25 or 30 pounds more than him. While Benavidez holds a 29-0 record and the interim WBC light heavyweight title, Canelo Alvarez insists that he will only accept a $200 million payout to face a fighter who currently competes at 175 pounds. Eddie Hearn calls the $150 million demand an insane payout and says Benavidez can target better things. Canelo previously beat Callum Smith in 2020 and Billy Joe Saunders in 2021. He also took the IBF title from Caleb Plant. Benavidez lost the WBC super middleweight title twice, once after a positive cocaine test and once for missing weight.
The media shift
Showtime ended its boxing operations in December after 37 years of programming. Paramount cut the funding for all sports at the network. This exit changed how fighters secure large purses. Canelo operates as a free agent and negotiates with Turki Alalshikh’s Saudi entertainment authority.
Stephen Espinoza, the executive vice president and general manager of sports and event programming, managed the network after he joined in November 2011. He previously signed Floyd Mayweather to a 30-month deal that could exceed $250 million. Mayweather beat Robert Guerrero in May 2013 and Canelo in September 2013. You know the landscape changes when a major network exits the sport.
Espinoza identified weight divisions with a wealth of talent to build familiarity. He sought the most compelling and interesting boxers to put on the air. His acquisition of Mayweather caused a seismic shift in the world of boxing. Espinoza focused on the 140, 147, and 154-pound divisions before adding 175.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Canelo’s net worth | $94 million |
| Benavidez’s record | 29-0 |
| Canelo’s demand | $200 million |
| Showtime’s tenure | 37 years |
The verdict
The Canelo vs. Benavidez fight is a fantasy. Benavidez has no reason to chase Canelo because he already holds an interim title at 175. Benavidez is preparing to face David Morrell. Canelo prefers to fight fighters like Terence Crawford or Dmitry Bivol to maintain his leverage.
Canelo has a history of fighting at different weights, including a decision loss to Bivol in the light heavyweight division. He also won the IBF title from Caleb Plant. Canelo has a net worth of $94 million. He is the undefeated super middleweight champion.
Canelo manages his own career as a free agent and does not have promotional obligations to Matchroom or PBC. He is focused on his upcoming defense against Edgar Berlanga. Canelo is a four-division champion. Will Canelo eventually yield to the pressure of the fans?
