Veteran Boxer Daniel Jacobs Joins Growing List Accusing Canelo Alvarez of Ducking David Benavidez
(BBC Sports, April 6, 2023) – Two-time middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs has added his voice to the expanding chorus of people who believe boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is avoiding a showdown with the undefeated David Benavidez.
Jacobs, who lost a unanimous decision to Canelo in 2019, stated his belief that the Mexican fighter (61-2, 39 KOs) is doing everything in his power to steer clear of facing the formidable Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs). Citing Benavidez’s speed, power, and athleticism as key advantages, Jacobs joins the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Andre Ward, and Paulie Malignaggi in criticizing Canelo’s reluctance to take on what many consider the biggest fight in the super middleweight division.
“I do think he is ducking him [Benavidez],” Jacobs said in an interview with BoxingScene. “Cos, he looks at the pros and cons, and you look at what Benavidez has over Canelo, speed, power, athleticism, and in his mind, Benavidez is beating him and, in his mind, he probably knows that as well.”
Despite being a unified 168-pound champion, Canelo has yet to face the undefeated Benavidez, a decision that has drawn widespread criticism from the boxing community. The 37-year-old Jacobs, who is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus, expressed his openness to facing Benavidez should the opportunity arise, stating, “Of course, I will. I’ve never ducked anybody, I will fight anyone if it makes sense.”
As for Canelo’s potential future opponents, such as Edgar Berlanga or Chris Eubank Jr., Jacobs refrained from making predictions, simply stating, “may the best fighter win.” The Mexican superstar, who has faced a host of boxing’s elite, including Mayweather, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Dmitrii Bivol, remains unfazed by the ongoing criticism, suggesting that his detractors would continue to name other opponents should he overcome Benavidez.
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