‘Give me Canelo’: Everything David Benavidez said after beating Andrade

David Benavidez has Canelo Alvarez in his sights after battering Demetrius Andrade.

• By
  
  Scott Christ
  
• on November 26, 2023 12:14 am

David Benavidez demolished Demetrius Andrade tonight in their Showtime pay-per-view main event, and made the call-out everyone expected after that performance, saying he wants Canelo Alvarez next.

Canelo is still the undisputed champion at 168 lbs, but Benavidez (28-0, 24 KO) does hold the interim WBC title, which in theory — but not always — would make him the mandatory challenger.

What it clearly is, mandatory or no, is the biggest fight to be made at 168, and Canelo has two fights left on a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions, too, so it should be an easy fight to make.

“I think I just solidified myself as the dominant performer I am,” Benavidez said after the fight. “And I think it was just a reminder, to let everybody know who the fuck the real champ at 168 is. They wanna see me versus Canelo and that’s what we want, too.

“I’m the youngest super middleweight champ of the world. [Two]-time world champion. Now just give me the fight that we all wanna see. Who wants to see David Benavidez vs Canelo? Let’s get it!”

On how he beat Demetrius Andrade

“Hard work and dedication I put it, man. Everybody says I’m not this, I’m not that, I’m flat-footed, no defense — this guy has probably has one of the best defenses and he’s really good offensively, he could barely hit me. I think that says a lot on its own.”

On the fourth round knockdown

“I think the first shot I caught him with was, I dipped his left hand and came over with a right hand, and that hit on the button. I knew I had to keep the pressure on because he couldn’t keep taking those shots.”

On how he forces a Canelo fight

“I just have to keep beating whoever they put in front of me. I’m the best, I’m gonna be a legend by the time my time is done. I don’t care, they keep putting them in front of me, I’m gonna keep knocking them down.”

“Let’s give the people what they want to see. They want to see Benavidez vs Canelo.”

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