Canelo Alvarez Sends a Clear Message as David Benavidez Gets Promoted to WBC Light Heavyweight Champion

After years in the interim role, David Benavidez is a full-fledged champion now. The unexpected shift – Dmitry Bivol vacating the WBC title – has dramatically altered the entire equation in boxing’s elite tier. The anticipated showdown between Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol may have come to a halt, at least for now. The circumstances are far from ideal. However, it’s a pivotal moment for a man who’s been knocking at the door for years. His long-standing ambition to face Canelo Alvarez doesn’t just feel plausible; it feels inevitable.

On May 3, the Mexican superstar will begin his mission to reclaim his former undisputed crown. He will face William Scull for the IBF title, and if he wins, as many expect, he’ll become undisputed champion once again. A mega-clash against Terence Crawford looms in September. Until recently, a potential Bivol rematch in 2026 was also on the horizon. But now, with Benavidez holding a full world title, Alvarez may no longer be able to sidestep the challenge critics claim he’s avoided for too long. Perhaps he foresaw the shift. That’s why Canelo chose to let symbolism do the talking.

Canelo Alvarez: Standing on the edge of the storm

“Llueva, nieve o relampaguee, no paramos,” the super middleweight champion wrote on his Instagram story. It roughly translates to: “Rain, snow, or lightning, we don’t stop.” The black-and-white photo shows Canelo, his face hidden, standing in front of a reflex bag.

Sept 15,2017. Las Vegas, NV. Mexico s Canelo Alvarez weighs in at 160 pounds at todays weigh in at the MGM grand hotel Friday. Canelo Alvarez will be fighting GGG Saturday at the T-Mobile arena for the WBC,WBA,IBF,IBO ring middleweight titles..Photo by /LA DailyNews/SCNG/ZumaPress. GGG-Canelo LV Weigh-N – ZUMAbl1_ 80131746st Copyright: xGenexBlevinsx

It’s a quiet statement, but a powerful one. underscoring the seriousness of his current camp, his training clips suggest a full sparring day. Assuming he gets past Scull, and Crawford in the fall, two fights will still remain on his four-bout deal with Riyadh Season through 2026.

Names of Bivol and a few others were already floating. However, Benavidez has now forced his way into a position where Canelo can no longer ignore him. Canelo has repeatedly dismissed Benavidez’s resume, arguing that he’s yet to face real competition.

Don’t let your guard down

But with official champion status now secured, even by default, the conversation has shifted. Whether or not he earned the belt in the ring, Benavidez now holds a piece of leverage. And if Canelo intends to move up a division, the matchup may be unavoidable.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 05: David Benavidez celebrates after defeating Denis Douglin during a super middleweight fight at 2300 Arena on August 5, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Still, nothing is set in stone. Bivol and Artur Beterbiev‘s long-teased trilogy bout is gaining momentum, and Benavidez might soon face his own first test as champion. Whether that’s Beterbiev, the WBC’s No. 1 contender, or Bivol himself, remains to be seen. What’s certain is that this new alignment sets up a thrilling few years for boxing’s heaviest hitters.

Abraham Lincoln once said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” In a sport where timing is everything, that quote has never felt more relevant. While Canelo and his team watch and wait as the situation unfolds, they’ll continue to train and hone their skills in anticipation.

So what do you think? Has David Benavidez finally earned his shot at Canelo? Or does he still need to prove himself in the ring against one of the division’s elite?

The post Canelo Alvarez Sends a Clear Message as David Benavidez Gets Promoted to WBC Light Heavyweight Champion appeared first on EssentiallySports.