Canelo Alvarez has replied to Mike Tyson’s critique regarding his avoidance of a bout with David Benavidez, charging the ex-heavyweight champion with being intoxicated.
Canelo Alvarez has countered Mike Tyson’s critique, suggesting Tyson was under the influence when he made the comments. Tyson had taken issue with Alvarez for avoiding a match with David Benavidez, pointing out Alvarez’s decision to fight Jaime Munguia during the Cinco de Mayo weekend instead.
At 33, Alvarez argues that his upcoming bout with Munguia, a fellow unbeaten Mexican fighter and holder of the WBC Silver belt, holds more value than a fight against the WBC interim champion Benavidez.
Benavidez has not been shy about his eagerness to challenge Alvarez, accusing him of dodging the fight. He asserts that Alvarez has declined significant financial proposals for the bout to happen.
Alvarez and his team have refuted such allegations, stating they’ve received no such financial offers. Tyson, nonetheless, voiced his disappointment publicly through ‘Marca’, expressing disbelief over Alvarez’s supposed rejection of a $60 million offer to fight Benavidez. Tyson praised Benavidez as an exceptional, young, and strong fighter, embodying Mexican pride and questioned Alvarez’s avoidance of the fight, suggesting it might be due to fear of loss or a lack of desire to deliver the eagerly awaited match to fans.
Tyson also lamented on the potential disregard for the legacy of legendary Mexican champions who faced top contenders regardless of financial implications, branding it a disservice to boxing and Mexico. He encouraged Alvarez to accept the fight with Benavidez to prove he’s the best, indicating Alvarez lacks the courage, which tarnishes his talent with a lack of spirit.
“I don’t need to fight anybody,” Alvarez said when asked about Tyson’s remarks, according to Express.
“I don’t need to prove (to) anybody anything, because I remember when this happened with (Gennady) Golovkin … so I don’t need to prove anything to anybody. This fight with Jaime Munguia, you need to respect because this fight is more important than other fights. So it is what it is.”
“And you remember when you guys asking me for Golovkin, and I fight with Golovkin and then Callum Smith, and then Billy Joe Saunders, and then Caleb Plant, and then – so never is enough for you guys. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody, anymore. I’ve done everything in my career.”
When asked if he respects the legend’s opinion, Alvarez answered: “I’d respect his opinion if he was sober.”
