Canelo offered mega-fight lifeline as Terence Crawford rematch no longer on the cards

It may be remembered as one of the great boxing fights that never happened, but David Benavidez insists there is still a path to a long-discussed showdown with Canelo Alvarez.

For years, Canelo rejected the prospect of facing Benavidez during his dominant reign as the world’s super middleweight leader, even as the hard-hitting American steadily moved up the division’s ladder. Frustrated with being frozen out, Benavidez eventually left his post at 168 pounds and moved up in weight.

This change has so far been largely rewarded. Benavidez has since won the WBC light heavyweight title, while Canelo’s own adventures at 175 pounds have produced mixed results. He won the WBO belt with a stoppage of Sergey Kovalev in 2019, but was completely shut out by WBA champion Dmitry Bivol three years later.

Canelo’s immediate future is now uncertain after a crushing loss to Terence Crawford in September, a defeat that brought his reign as undisputed super middleweight champion to an abrupt end.

Benavidez, on the other hand, appears to be on the rise. He was in imperious form during his last title defense against Anthony Yarde. and now eyes blockbuster clashes with unified champion Bivol and former undisputed ruler Artur Beterbiev. In the meantime, Benavidez is expected to test himself at cruiserweight for a single fight in May 2026, when he challenges unified champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. However, as he explained to The ringthe door remains open for a late superfight with Canelo.

“I’m in a great position in every way. I wasn’t going to go down to 168, but now if Canelo wants to move up, I won the WBC world title at 175.

“After I beat Bivol, I’ll have all the belts. So after that happens, I’m the one with the power. Canelo said he fights for greatness, he fights for titles. Well, let me go get all the titles and let’s come back to the table and talk.”

Waiting for, Canelo has been offered a path back to world title contention at super middleweight, with the IBF ordering a fight between the Mexican star and undefeated Cuban Osleys Iglesias for the vacant IBF title at 168 pounds.