Sául “Canelo” Alvarez recently named Jaime Munguia as the fighter he would like to “pass the torch” to as the next face of Mexican boxing, but fans continue to point to David Benavidez as the natural heir to that position. Speaking on the Mr. Verzace podcast, Canelo Alvarez expressed his desire to see Jaime Munguia succeed him, though the endorsement has sparked mixed reactions among boxing enthusiasts who believe David Benavidez earned that status years ago.
David Benavidez is currently viewed as Canelo’s true successor by a large section of the sport’s following, supported by his undefeated 32-0 record and his status as the youngest super middleweight world champion in history. While Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is moving toward a September 12 bout against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, the shadow of a potential clash with David Benavidez remains the primary talking point in the division.
The debate over the next great Mexican champion intensified on May 26, 2026, when Saul “Canelo” Alvarez dismissed the possibility of a fight with David Benavidez, labeling it as “impossible” at this stage. This dismissal comes despite David Benavidez and his camp insisting they have done everything possible to secure the matchup. Jose Benavidez Sr., David’s father and trainer, previously stated the camp was willing to accept a “bare minimum” of $5 million for the opportunity to face the four-weight champion.
Title runs and the divide in resumes
Fans arguing for David Benavidez point to a career built on fighting top contenders. After spending years at super middleweight, David Benavidez moved up to the 175-pound limit. He currently holds the WBA (Regular) light heavyweight title and the WBC light heavyweight title, in addition to the Interim WBC light heavyweight world title he secured against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June 2024. Just earlier this month, David Benavidez further established his dominance by capturing the unified WBA (Super) and WBO cruiserweight world titles.
Jaime Munguia, meanwhile, is still working to convince critics that he belongs at the pinnacle of the sport. Earlier this month, he defeated Armando Resendiz for a WBA belt, but his 2024 knockout loss to Bruno Surace remains a point of contention for skeptics. Unlike Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Jaime Munguia does not have a decade of established popularity to shield him from criticism if he avoids the most dangerous threats in the division.
To be universally accepted as a successor, many believe Jaime Munguia must face the gauntlet of contenders currently at 168 pounds or nearby weights. This group includes names like Osleys Iglesias, Diego Pacheco, Hamzah Sheeraz, and Christian Mbilli. For some observers, the current tension in the division mirrors how legendary figures like Roberto Duran were often judged by the intelligence and level of their opposition rather than just their belts.
Weight class hurdles and the “Mexican Monster”
A significant point of friction between the two camps involves the logistics of making the fight. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez recently questioned the ability of David Benavidez to make weight, following the latter’s move to cruiserweight. On May 24, 2024, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez suggested he does not believe David Benavidez can make the 175-pound limit anymore. David Benavidez has countered this, stating he is “good at 175” but has ruled out a return to the 168-pound super middleweight division.
David Benavidez’s recent performance at cruiserweight saw him defeat Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez by sixth-round knockout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The victory solidified his standing as an elite force capable of carrying titles across multiple weight classes. This versatility is often used as a comparative point against Jaime Munguia, whom fans expect to see in more high-stakes technical battles, such as the strategy-heavy bouts seen with Shane Mosley Jr. and other top contenders.
Future implications for the Mexican boxing landscape
The hierarchy of Mexican boxing may shift depending on the results of the upcoming September schedule. If Saul “Canelo” Alvarez finds himself in trouble against Christian Mbilli—an aggressive fighter known for nonstop combinations—the calls for him to acknowledge David Benavidez as his successor will likely intensify. David Benavidez has already begun claiming the title for himself, asserting on April 26, 2026, that “it’s my era now” and identifying himself as the current face of boxing.
The financial narrative also remains a source of frustration for fans. Reports have circulated regarding massive offers for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to accept the Benavidez fight, with figures ranging from a $55 million guarantee to $70 million plus pay-per-view shares. However, with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez currently focusing on other options, such as Dmitry Bivol at 175, the “Mexican shootout” with David Benavidez remains a theoretical legacy-builder.
As the younger fighters in the division continue to rise, the pressure on both Jaime Munguia and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to justify their positioning will grow. David Benavidez has positioned himself as a champion willing to take the hardest available paths. Until a definitive “passing of the torch” happens in the ring, or until Jaime Munguia clears out the top contenders at 168, the public consensus appears to remain firmly behind the “Mexican Monster.”
com/vasiliy-lomachenko-return-to-boxing-reactions-analysis/”>veterans like Vasiliy Lomachenko have often found that a return to elite form is the only way to silence those questioning their position at the top. For David Benavidez, the mission is clear: continue winning until the endorsement of his predecessor becomes irrelevant.
