Mikey Garcia Says David Benavidez Fight Is Now Too Much For Canelo Alvarez

Garcia believes the super middleweight version of the matchup disappeared once Benavidez moved through light heavyweight and cruiserweight

Mikey Garcia believes the best version of a fight between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez disappeared years ago when both fighters were still competing at super middleweight. Garcia says Benavidez has now become too big, too strong, and too dangerous for the aging former undisputed champion.

“When they were both at 168, yeah, I would’ve liked to see that fight,” said Garcia to ESNEWS. “Now it’s pointless. It’s almost like people just want to see Canelo get beat up because that’s what’s going to happen. Benavidez is too big now, too strong, too fast.

“That fight back then would’ve been a great matchup. Back then, Canelo was still up there with the best. But now? No. Benavidez has grown too much.”

Benavidez spent years chasing the fight while holding the WBC interim title at 168 pounds, but Canelo never agreed to face him during his run as undisputed champion. The unbeaten Arizona native eventually moved to 175, where he was elevated to full WBC champion before jumping again to cruiserweight earlier this month.

The move paid off immediately. Benavidez defeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez to capture the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, giving him world titles in a third division and strengthening his standing near the top of boxing’s pound-for-pound lists.

Despite that success, Benavidez still wants the Canelo fight and recently said the Mexican star could move up to 175 pounds for a shot at his WBC title.

Garcia does not see much intrigue in that version of the matchup anymore, especially with Canelo preparing for a dangerous return against Christian Mbilli on September 12 in Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old former undisputed champion is coming off elbow surgery and has not fought in nearly a year.

If Canelo struggles badly against Mbilli, the long-running Benavidez debate may finally disappear for good because the size difference has become too extreme at this stage of both careers.

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