Speaking at the ring, Benavidez directly asked the audience if they wanted to see him fight Canelo Alvarez, indicating that Canelo was in attendance. The reaction was clamorous and Benavidez leaned into it, saying this fight shouldn’t be left on the table.

“I have respect for Canelo. He is a great champion, but I am also a great champion. Let’s do it,” Benavidez said.

The explanation was not constrained to one name. When asked about what comes next, Benavidez also took aim at Dmitry Bivol, calling him the best opponent he wants.

“Bivol is number one on my hit list,” he said. “He’s a great fighter, a great champion, but I’m also a great champion. I just want to prove myself in every fight.”

Benavidez said he is open to fighting in different weight classes, noting he still holds the airy heavyweight title after his first cruiserweight fight. This flexibility leaves multiple paths open, depending on which opponent is willing.

Benavidez delivered on Cinco de Mayo weekend, traditionally one of boxing’s biggest stages, and he did so immediately after a high-profile victory.

It is unclear whether either fight will take place. Benavidez has been linked to Canelo in the past without any progress, while Bivol remains one of the top fighters at 175 pounds.

Still, Benavidez made his position clear. He wants the biggest fights available and immediately after winning he notified two of the sport’s top champions.

The distance between Canelo and Benavidez has never been greater. Benavidez just unified the cruiserweight titles, while Canelo Alvarez prepares to fight Christian Mbilli at super middleweight. That’s a 32-pound difference, which is an ocean in boxing.

Canelo is 35 years senior and going through a challenging period. The loss to Terence Crawford, elbow surgery and a year off mean we are no longer looking at the top-flight Canelo.

If Benavidez wants to be a “monster” at 200 pounds, calling out Jai Opetaia is a true alpha move. Opetaia is the king of the division and just secured the Zuffa Boxing title against Brandon Glanton. Benavidez vs. Opetaia would be a pure “Best vs. Best” fight without the drama of losing 30 pounds and the “chasing a paycheck” optics.

Benavidez, however, knows that Canelo’s name is the only one that guarantees a specific type of immortality and powerful control. Calling him on Cinco de Mayo weekend, with Canelo in the front row, was intended to keep his name attached to the sport’s biggest star, even if logistics made it nearly impossible.

Jaime Munguia defeated Armando Resendiz to win the WBA super middleweight world title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as former opponent turned training partner Saul “Canelo” Alvarez shouted encouragement from ringside.

Alvarez had held the WBA belt since 2020, but lost that and three other major titles to Terence Crawford last September. When Crawford retired, the belts were separated and Resendiz – who received the WBA interim belt after an upset victory over Caleb Plant – was promoted to full champion.

He made his first defense tonight against former super welterweight champion Munguia, who previously fought for the 168 title, losing to Canelo in 2024. After the defeat, the 29-year-old Mexican joined forces with coach Eddy Reynoso and took advantage of his former rival’s advice during the camp.

This continued in the ring tonight as Canelo shouted instructions to Munguia as the challenger comprehensively outplayed Resendiz, whose defense was ineffective and despite his valiant shot-making, he was thoroughly outworked throughout. Ultimately, Munguia won the title with scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.

It’s the latest twist in a division that was left wide open following Crawford’s retirement and the dispersal of the titles. The IBF belt was received by Cuban boxer Osleys Iglesiaswhile the WBO title fight will take place at the end of this month between Hamzah Sheeraz and Al Begic.

The WBC is held by former interim champion Christian Mbilli, who will defend against the returning Canelo in Saudi Arabia in September. If the Mexican icon picks up the belt again, there is now an awkward obstacle to regaining undisputed prominence. status

Click here to watch Benavidez vs. live tonight. Zurdo!

“I understand why people said, ‘I don’t think he’s coming back,’” Spence told Fight Hub TV during a recent media session. “I would think the same thing if I was on the outside looking in.”

If he acted like the vintage Massive Fish, it would seem delusional. At 36, given his physical fatigue, his only game is self-awareness.

An eye test conducted since 2018 confirms fans’ opinion that Spence is not the same. While he technically defeated Porter and Ugas, they weren’t the dominant, surgical performances we saw in matches against Ocampo or Lamont Peterson. He looked more like a towering guard, a brawler willing to eat three shots to take two.

This style worked well when he was younger and physically stronger, but in Terence’s case, his lack of head movement and leisurely reflexes made him look like a stationary target.

“I have more energy, I’m more alive, I’m better mentally and physically,” Spence said. “But don’t knock on anyone’s door. They should have reservations about me.”

Feeling “alive” while hitting pads or sparring with 18-year-olds in Dallas is a world away from the confused, high-pressure environment of world-class fighting. As you’ve noticed, he hasn’t had to operate his reflexes under fire in years. Mental clarity in a silent gym doesn’t always translate to mental clarity when Tim is hitting hefty shots in front of a clamorous Australian crowd.

The 2019 accident, the detached retina and the punishment for the Crawford fight create a debt that the body eventually repays.

You may have all the energy in the world at camp, but your chin and recovery ability don’t care about your attitude. When the first immaculate shot is fired in July, we will see whether this “energy” will continue or whether it will be just a byproduct of the long vacation.

It basically asks us to believe that “Massive Fish” was simply dormant and needed a reset. However, in boxing, three years off at the age of 36 usually means a retirement that has not yet been officially announced.