Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. says ex-stablemate Canelo Alvarez should fight David Benavidez in his next bout.
Controversy has followed Canelo surrounding a potential clash with Benavidez, who has been the WBC mandatory challenger for over two years. However, nobody in his current or past circle of friends has spoken out publicly the way Ruiz has.
Asked about Canelo’s next opponent in a recent media chat with reporters, including those from Ring Magazine and Fight Hub TV, Ruiz said, “I don’t know [who he will fight]. I thought it was going to be Berlanga because he keeps promoting that he is going to fight him, but I don’t know. I would want to see Benavidez because I know both of them. But I think he [Benavidez] deserves a shot, but as Canelo says, he can do whatever he wants and fight whoever he wants. If he wants to please the public, that’s up to him.”
On whether he thinks Benavidez can go up to heavyweight, the ex-unified ruler added, “I think David can do anything because he is big and strong. It was his first time fighting at that weight [when he beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk on points] in his last fight.”
Meanwhile, Canelo vs Benavidez may have taken a further step into the abyss after the WBC stated that the latter would now campaign at 175.
“The WBC has just received a letter from Sampson Boxing, exclusive promoter of David Benavidez, confirming that he will continue his career as a light-heavyweight. He is confirmed as the WBC 175 interim champion and is the mandatory contender for the winner of Beterbiev vs Bivol,” said Mauricio Sulaiman.
Canelo continues to be linked with fighting Chris Eubank Jr. in the fall.
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