David Benavidez has been accused of making “excuses” to take a “different path,” seemingly distancing himself from the top 200-pound fight.

“The Mexican Monster” made his cruiserweight debut earlier this month, becoming a three-division world champion dethroning Gilberto Ramirez after the sixth round.

However, despite Ramirez winning the WBO and WBA titles, Benavidez expressed interest in returning to 175 pounds, where he still holds the WBC belt, and facing unified champion Dmitry Bivol.

It would be for the undisputed featherlight heavyweight crown, which Bivol won by majority decision in his February 2025 rematch with Artur Beterbiev.

Before he attempts to reclaim the WBC belt, however, Bivol must first defend two of his three major titles against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30.

After that, Benavidez will almost certainly target Bivol, even though cruiserweight rival Jai Opetaia accused him of taking a “smarter path.”

I’m talking to Ring Magazinethe former IBF champion assured that he would be ready to fight Benavidez, but only if the 29-year-old’s team was willing to show the same enthusiasm.

“This fight is effortless on our side. I was ready… All I hear is excuses. How bad you feel [Benavidez] do you want to fight?

“I heard he would choose a different path, and honestly, I think he would choose a wiser path.”

Although considered by many to be the No. 1 cruiserweight, Opetaia no longer has a world title to attract Benavidez. Instead, it means his potential fight with Benavidez would not be a three-belt unification fight.

According to. Snoop Dogg is set to star in an upcoming boxing drama titled Deadlinewho first informed about the casting. The Long Beach native will appear alongside Brandon Perea, known for his role as Jordan Peele in the film.

The project is more of a feature film than a series. Eric Amadio, who previously worked on the FX series, is writing and directing. Snoop’s exact role has not been revealed.

History

Per Deadline, it follows a tranquil street fighter raised in a Long Beach group home, torn between a troubled past and a future in professional boxing, trying to leave the backyard brawls behind and following his estranged father into the sport. Amadio described the film as both a coming-of-age boxing picture and a story about faith, presenting the theme as having faith in yourself when no one else has it, and having faith in people who refuse to give up on you.

Amadio addressed both casting choices for the lead role in comments reported by Deadline, saying that Perea gave him the nuanced, complicated fighter the role required and that Snoop portrayed an real character who has seen every version of the kid and still puts his trust in him.

Production details

The film will be produced by Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures along with Everlast Pictures. In a statement, Snoop said his company is proud to be a part of the project, calling it a story built on heart, grit, struggle and redemption, tied to the spirit of Long Beach.

Deadline first reported on the project in March 2022, when rapper and actor Common joined the cast of the film alongside Perea. Filming will begin in Los Angeles this summer.

Snoop Dogg’s acting credits include , , and .

Canelo Alvarez still talks like a central figure in the super middleweight division, even though he no longer holds all the belts after his loss to Terence Crawford.

“They have to fight each other and then I will choose the winner.” Canelo said to Mr. Verzace. “At some point we all have to earn what we deserve, right? And they have to earn it.”

The comments were notable because Canelo is no longer a world champion at 168, and yet he still speaks from a position that allows him to avoid the same path he believes others should follow.

Since his loss to Crawford last September and absence following elbow surgery, the 168-pound belts have spread to a up-to-date group of champions that includes Christian Mbilli, Hamzah Sheeraz, Osleys Iglesias and Jaime Munguia.

Despite the loss, Canelo will still have an immediate shot at winning the world title against Mbilli on September 12 in Riyad.

This has sparked criticism from some fans who believe the former undisputed champion should now prove himself against threatening rivals before being given another shot at the title.

Fighters such as Lester Martinez, Diego Pacheco and Bektemir Melikuziev were mentioned by fans as opponents that Canelo would normally have to face if he was treated as a standard fighter rather than boxing’s biggest commercial star.

Canelo also rejected the idea of ​​closely studying up-to-date names entering the division.

“I never check it,” he said when asked about the current situation in the super middleweight division.

For many fans, this reaction only reinforced the feeling that Canelo still sees himself as a cut above the rest of the division, even though he no longer holds all the belts.

But the Mexican star remains the sport’s biggest financial draw, which allows him to move on differently than most fighters after defeat. While younger fighters continue to try to establish themselves, Canelo returns to another championship fight.

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Last updated: 24/05/2026 at 21:10