This is a nice article on why Canelo Alvarez is fighting Edgar Berlanga.
Why is Canelo fighting Berlanga? What about Crawford and Benavidez?https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/40625642/canelo-boxing-berlanga-crawford-benavidezWhy won't Alvarez face Benavidez?
Benavidez would present a dangerous test for Alvarez, but to this point, Alvarez has shown virtually no interest in the matchup boxing fans most want to see. Benavidez is a big, strong volume-puncher and appears to own considerable punch resistance.
Benavidez has also undoubtedly earned a shot at Alvarez. He defeated Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade in impressive fashion last year. Benavidez claims Canelo is avoiding a fight with him because he's a rising star of Mexican descent, and a loss would mean Alvarez has passed the torch.
"I think he's scared of him losing and then me taking all the shine," Benavidez told ESPN back in June. "... I don't really think he's scared of me. ... I think he doesn't like me and he doesn't want ... another Mexican to take the shine."
Whatever the case may be, Benavidez is now campaigning at 175 pounds since he realized an Alvarez fight wasn't on the horizon.
Oh yeah, I agree with that. Benavidez is truly a big man and a volume puncher and I don't think Canelo would like to face something like that. He truly earned his shot against him but until now Canelo's camp seems to know that they will be in big trouble if they face him which is why they are avoiding it to happen maybe until Canelo retires.
We don't like it as boxing fans but that's reality if you want to protect your boxer with his reputation. The same as how Mayweather avoided Manny for a long time until Manny got old and that's the only time he accepted the fight but with so much written in the contract for his advantage.
I don't even think it will happen but there's good news written in the article and I think it could be possible.
Who does that leave for Alvarez to face in a superfight after what amounts to a stay-busy bout vs. Berlanga?
Assuming Alvarez takes care of business against Berlanga in impressive fashion, there's only one dance partner outside of Benavidez who can present a marquee event with Alvarez: Terence Crawford.
This will be fun if ever it materializes and I think it will be big with so many fans of both sides getting excited that will hype in on all social media.