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For Benavidez, Crawford is a problem, not Canelo

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Image: Trainer Ronnie Shields Sees Benavidez-Bivol as 50-50, Citing Morrell Fight as Vital Experience for 'Mexican Monster'

David Benavidez was willing – or I have to say that a dream – aiming at Canelo Alvarez at the age of 168. Mexican monster chasing the Mexican king. If Canelo defeated Terenka Crawford, this fight was inevitable – payment, glory, throne.

Now he has an even bigger opportunity: to avenge the loss of Canelo and restore the pride of Mexican warriors. To continue the tradition of Sánchez, Chávez, Morales and Barrera. And let’s explain – Turki would give him the biggest purse of his career, much larger than Canelo.

Crawford, who first rejected this idea, will appear. He lives for history, for challenges. And it will not leave another mountain. Add a huge bag and the fight is to take.

But Benavidez looked at the board and did mathematics. He is already a large name with a real noise. If he makes wise moves in 175, the road can spotless him. Artur Beterbiev can retire. Bivol may not fight. Obstacles may disappear. He could rule.

In the face of Crawford, in 168 it would be a huge error-the buzz ending noise.

Like Crawford defeats Benavidez

Benavidez’s danger comes from three things: size, volume and engine. It does not turn off your lights with one shot – it will drown you with 80 with a round, relentless pressure and a gas tank, which empties opponents in the second half.

Crawford is built to break this exact style.

  • Size neutralized over time. Benavidez walks forward, vertically and opens in the middle. Crawford punishes the rush forward. Checking the hook when he bends. Uncomplicated left to the body. A miniature miner inside. Each advance costs it.
  • The volume neutralized by the breaks of the rhythm. Benavidez needs a flow to throw. Crawford never allows you to swim a warrior. It fers inside, binds, reset strength, and then makes you enter the trap. An avalanche becomes drip.
  • The engine is neutralized by patience. Benavidez wins delayed because others are disappearing. Crawford is the best in boxing. In round 7 Benavidez is slower, less crunchy. Then Crawford sharpens, increases production and finishes what he began.

And if you want to see how it takes place, here is the map:

  • Runds 1-3: Crawford remains a patient, circling, probing a stab. It makes Benavidez throw and the maiden, and then lands on pointed counterattacks – a hook of the check here, straight left to the body. Every step forward costs.
  • Rounds 4–6: Crawford changes Southpaw, begins to tear the body. Compact left to the liver, they slope when Benavidez is leaning. Cleverly subject to stewed combinations, breaking the rhythm. The volume slows down.
  • Rounds 7–9: The monster begins to fade. Crawford raises his power, throwing crunchy meters of three strokes. Benavidez shots lose their snap. Crawford’s precision means that the advantage of greatness does not matter.
  • Round 10-12: Crawford takes control. Benavidez enters the penalty meters, breaks his head and forces you to survive. Regardless of whether it is a delayed arrest or a wide decision, the story is the same: the monster drowned in its own pressure.

The Caleb plant had traffic, but there is no power. Demetrius Andrade had energy early, but he wasn’t delayed gas. Crawford has both. He can sting Benavidez enough to leisurely him down – and withstand long enough to break him.

Career crusher

Crawford finished the golden goose of PBC when he dismantled Errola Spence. The road map was clear: many fights, trilogy, PPV years. Crawford crashed him in nine rounds. Spence has not fought since then.

He ruined three Canelo fights in the amount of $ 400 million. The Mexican king was to pay, secure his heritage and go to the sunset. Crawford destroyed this plan in one night.

And if Benavidez takes him at 168, the same will happen. Hype will end. The road will close.

Even Bob Arum and Freddie Roach confessed to protecting Pacquiao against him. They knew their impressions. Bud is not a fight. He is a problem.

Excuses will come

If Benavidez lies with Crawford, the excuses come in. Fans will say that he was simplified, that he should stay in 175. Time was bad. They rationalize, deny, try to comfort themselves with words.

But none of them will remove the result. The Mexican monster will be tame. The aura will disappear. The truth will remain: Benavidez faced a warrior he could not overwhelm. And when Crawford defeats you, you’re never the same again.

The thrill has disappeared

That’s why Benavidez doesn’t want 168 anymore. He knows what is waiting for him. He knows what will happen when the building appears.

Canelo was a reward. Crawford is a problem. And if the fight ever occurs, Benavidez fans will understand the meaning of the venerable BB King song. The thrill disappeared.

Last updated 25/25/2025

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Oscar De La Hoya Analyzes Canelos Decision Victory Over Christian Mbilli for WBC Title

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"Oscar De La Hoya Analyzes Canelo's Decision Victory Over Christian Mbilli for WBC Title"

Oscar De La Hoya has questioned the general consensus that Canelo Alvarez is a Mexican boxing legend following his unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli.

The 36-year-old reclaimed his WBC title last Saturday, having lost his undisputed super-middleweight crown in his previous outing, against Terence Crawfordin September 2025.

Following that defeat, many wondered whether Canelo could succeed again at world level but, sure enough, he did just that by dethroning Mbilli.

Not only did he claim a convincing points victory, but the Mexican contained Mbilli’s aggression and controlled the majority of their contest with superior technical and defensive skills.

This, however, was not quite enough to satisfy his former promoter, De La Hoya, who has suggested that Canelo’s low punch output made for a largely tedious affair.

As per his semi-regular social media series, Clapback Thursdaythe Hall of Famer also undermined Canelo’s widely-accepted legacy as a Mexican great.

“I’m so f**king tired of 100 punches [being] thrown in a fight with no action whatsoever, and I know the fans are over it.

“We all miss those days of [Marco Antonio] Barrera, [Erik] Morales [and] Julio Cesar Chavez – that’s what Mexican boxing is known for.

“Canelo, do you try to proclaim you’re the best Mexican fighter ever? You couldn’t hold Chavez’ jockstrap. And I can name 10 other Mexican fighters who are way better boxers than you are. And they didn’t sell-out to fight in front of 15 people in Saudi Arabia.”

In fairness, Canelo has never proclaimed to be the greatest Mexican fighter in history, though most would argue he deserves to be considered in an all-time top 10.

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Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro

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"Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro"

A formal press release was issued today announcing the December 19 welterweight title unification between Devin Haney and Liam Paro at San Francisco’s Chase Center, and in anticipation of the meeting with a co-feature of Brian Norman vs Abel RamosHaney shared his excitement for what he expects to be another successful outing to snag some more hardware.

“My resume speaks for itself,” Haney said. “I’ve never been afraid to go into a champion’s backyard and put my record on the line. I went to Australia, took George Kambosos’ belts, and became undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Now I’m bringing another Australian world champion, Liam Paro, into my backyard. This time, I plan to take his belt and become a unified welterweight world champion right here at home.
“Oakland is where my story started, and the Bay Area has always been part of who I am. The Valkyries just brought a championship to Chase Center, and on December 19, I plan to keep that championship energy going.

“I made history in Australia. Now it’s time to make history at home.”

Paro, however hopes to upset the odds, knowing he’ll be coming into this fight as a decided underdog.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis,” Paro said. “I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it’s here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard.

“I’ve never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people. Devin’s a great fighter and I respect that. But I’ve been the underdog plenty of times and I’ve made history before. December 19, I’m coming to unify the division and make more history.”

With the WBO and IBF welterweight world titles on the line, one fight will be heading into the new year halfway to undisputed.

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Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown

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"Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown"

Liam Paro served as supporting cast the last time Devin Haney headlined at Chase Center. Come December 19, he walks into San Francisco carrying the IBF welterweight title, gunning to strip Haney of his WBO strap.

Three years transformed Paro from an undercard face into a headline attraction. He watched Haney shut out Regis Prograis from the locker room in December 2023. Now he commands the marquee, even if getting US fight fans to open their wallets on pay-per-view presents an uphill battle.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis. I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it is here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard. I have never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people,” Paro stated.

The Australian proved his mettle by snatching the 140-pound crown from Subriel Matias on hostile soil. Richardson Hitchins took it right back six months later, checking Paro’s momentum before mainstream crowds took notice.

The jump to 147 pounds provided the reboot he needed. Three straight wins, capped by a gritty points victory over Lewis Crocker to claim the IBF strap, set the stage for this encounter.

Haney ends a lengthy layoff on home turf. Sitting out more than twelve months makes asking fans to purchase a DAZN PPV against a fighter unknown to mainstream viewers a tough sell. Belts by themselves rarely move the needle at the box office.

Brian Norman Jr. takes on Abel Ramos in the ten-round co-feature. Norman dropped his WBO belt to Haney last November and must now accept undercard placement on his conqueror’s bill.

Paro earned his position the hard way. December 19 decides if his punch output can upset the hometown favorite or if Haney cruises behind his jab.

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