Esteemed sportscaster Jim Lampley recently shed light on the circumstances surrounding the highly-anticipated boxing match between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and David Benavidez. The match, which has been dangled in front of avid boxing enthusiasts for some time now, isn’t happening anytime soon. Lampley gave fans some much-needed closure as he detailed exactly why this much-desired showdown has stalled on its way to the ring.
Canelo Alvarez, boxing’s pound-for-pound king, has a legacy worth envying. He’s a superstar with an almost mythical status, thanks to his iron-jawed mettle and the finesse he possesses in the squared circle. On the other side, there’s David Benavidez, the former two-time world super-middleweight champion who’s hungry for proving himself against top-tier opponents, a noteworthy milestone in his career.
Given these credentials, a face-off between the two would certainly be a titanic collision of power and skill. A match of the ages. But why isn’t this happening?
According to Lampley, the primary reason is a classic hurdle within the world of professional boxing. “It’s the business side of things that’s causing the delay,” Lampley pointed out. He mentioned that despite the scintillating appeal this match holds for spectators, financial and contractual issues serve as significant roadblocks.
“When you have a fight of this magnitude, promoters, managers, broadcast platforms, all have a say. There’s so much at stake financially. Negotiations can get complex, and sometimes the interests of the boxers get sandwiched in between,” Lampley adds. As such, the match remains ensnared in an unfortunate web of economic complexities, leaving fans yearning for some action.
Secondly, Lampley underscores Canelo’s strategic decision-making. As a top-tier boxer, Canelo understands the ins and outs of his career trajectory. He is well-aware of the risks that each bout presents, and his team will always strive to make the most advantageous decisions.
“Canelo is at a stage in his career where he’s looking at his legacy,” Lampley says. “He’s navigating a career path that not only underlines his supremacy in the ring but also ensures his health and financial stability. and if that means waiting for the right moment before facing someone like Benavidez, then so be it.”
It’s hard to tell when this ‘right moment’ will arrive. As things stand, Canelo is expected to face Dimitry Bivol come December, leaving Benavidez on the sidelines for now.
But this doesn’t mean that all hope is lost for a Canelo-Benavidez showdown. Jim Lampley optimistically notes, “The match isn’t off the table. When the business side aligns with the boxers’ interests, who knows, we might just be in for the fight we’ve all been eagerly waiting for.”
Alas, until then, fans will have to be patient. As much as the sporting world wants to witness this rivalry in the ring, the complexities of high-stakes boxing stand as a testament to the saying ‘the bigger the game, the more complicated the rules’. As Lampley rightly reminds us, the world of boxing often delves into a tumultuous trade-off between sport and profit, a fine line that isn’t easy to tread.
In a nutshell, Canelo vs Benavidez remains a potential spectacle, a colossal clash just waiting for the right conditions to manifest. As Jim Lampley elucidates , the real fight here isn’t merely between two boxers, it’s about navigating the perilous complexities of the boxing business hurdles that stand in its path.
