After a win in his third fight against Gennady GolovkinSaul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez’ has demanded respect from the boxing world for never turning down a challenge.
The following comments Undisputed Super-Middleweight Champion’s recent answer to a question about facing the Mexican, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. Canelo says he has no interest in facing him as they both represent the same country.
Ramirez is a former super middleweight champion, and has one shot now to win the WBA lightweight belt with Dmitry Bivol – the man who just defeated Canelo.
It’s no secret that Canelo is aiming for a rematch with Bivol, in fact, he said so himself after last night’s win over Golovkin. His plans seem to be based on redemption rather than titles this time around, but what if Bivol loses to Ramirez?
When asked again about facing his countrymen in time post-fight press conferenceÁlvarez ran out of time, referring to another name in David Benavidez – also known as ‘The Mexican Monster.’
“Anything can happen.”
“When I say I don’t want to fight the Mexicans, it’s because I represent Mexico – and that’s why. But I do not care. I will fight anyone. My whole life, anyone. Why do you think I don’t want to fight a Mexican or a Benavidez? I heard his father say a lot of things. Look what he’s accomplished – nothing. [He has beat] a single champion, Anthony Dirrell. Please. Don’t be disrespectful [me]. “
If he didn’t want to fight Benavidez before, then the public might change everything. It’s easy to see the beginning of a building process here. Benavidez also happens to be the WBC Super-Middle Interim Champion, so there may come a time when Canelo has no choice but to take on him.
Álvarez has been out of the ring for a while now and a left hand injury that requires surgery could keep him out until May 2023.
Bivol and Ramirez face off on November 5 of this year. It is unclear how Canelo’s plans will change if Ramirez wins.
As for Benavidez, his last game was a spectacular performance against David Lemieux in May this year. He’s a two-time super-middleweight champion and would love to hit the three-time mark. Many fans of the sport believe this fight will be Canelo’s biggest test at this stage in his career.
Canelo has an impatient expression when people say he’s avoiding them – once famously accusing Demetrius Andrade of being only interested in payday.
Finally, he was asked if he liked the likes of Benavidez and others who might want to face him to fight each other in the meantime. His answer is straight to the point:
“They can do whatever they want. I don’t care who they fight. I don’t care.”
After that question, Canelo ended the press conference because he was ‘a bit crazy and tired.’ Before leaving the country, he thanked the media.
