"Benavidez is like Canelo" - Floyd Mayweather talks Canelo Alvarez's biggest potential challenge
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the only boxer who has beaten Canelo Álvarez, who is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer today. It was recently announced that Álvarez will be facing Dmitry Bivol in May. Bivol currently holds the WBA Light Heavyweight Title.
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In an interview with FightHype, Mayweather was asked who he thought would pose the greatest challenge to Álvarez, the current Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion. Mayweather said:
"Believe it or not, I think one of the biggest challenges for Canelo will be Benavidez. Benavidez is like Canelo... he's different because he throws a lot of combinations - he's young and he throws a lot of combinations."
Mayweather also said that younger fighters like Benavidez and Charlo should be given a chance to fight Álvarez, in the same way that he gave Álvarez a fight when the younger man was climbing through the ranks.
Check out the interview with Floyd Mayweather here:
Floyd Mayweather Beat Canelo Álvarez in 2013
In 2013, Canelo Álvarez was a rising star. However, by then, the 23-year-old was already deep into his professional career.
Álvarez began boxing at 13-years-old and racked up an amateur record of 44-2 in just two years. In 2005, at 15-years-old, Álvarez turned pro. He knocked out eleven of his first thirteen opponents. By the time he challenged Mayweather, the young fighter had a record of 42-0-1. Mayweather's record at the time was 44-0-0.
Álvarez pushed forward with constant aggression, furious combinations, and a solid chin. However, slick defense, masterful boxing, and a precise lead hand carried Mayweather to victory through the 12-round fight. The fight against Mayweather has been credited as one of the most pivotal fights in Álvarez's development, driving a transformation of style.
Though Álvarez has two draws on his record, Mayweather remains his only defeat. His current record stands at 57-1-2 with 39 knockouts.
According to most ratings, including BoxRec, The Ring Magazine, and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, Álvarez is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He will be moving up to light heavyweight for his fight against Bivol in an attempt to further demonstrate his capabilities.