Boxing legend Mike Tyson has expressed his shock at Canelo Alvarez's choice to show down a £48 million provide to combat David Benavidez. Despite followers' pleasure over the potential match, Alvarez selected to not face the American boxer.

Benavidez, a two-time WBC tremendous middleweight champion with a formidable 28-0 file, appeared like an inevitable opponent for Alvarez, one of many division's strongest forces. The Mexican is the primary and solely boxer in historical past to turn into an undisputed champion at tremendous middleweight, holding the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles together with Ring journal's belt.

After his victory over Jermell Charlo in September, he's now searching for his subsequent opponent however seems unwilling to face Benavidez. This refusal has triggered controversy, with even Tyson weighing in. 

The-57 year-old was surprised by Alvarez's reported rejection of such an enormous purse. He mentioned: “I can't believe what I just heard. Canelo rejected 60 million dollars to fight Benavidez, who is a tremendous fighter, young, strong, with hunger and Mexican pride.

“What's wrong with Canelo? Is he afraid of losing? Doesn't he want to give the fans the fight they want to see? Don't you want to give the fans the fight they want to see? Do you not respect the legacy of the great Mexican champions who faced the best regardless of the money? ... This is a shame for boxing and for Mexico.

“If I were him, I would accept the fight with Benavidez and show the world that he is the best. But it seems he doesn't have the courage to do it. It is a shame because he has a lot of talent, but he lacks heart.”

Tyson is finally disenchanted by Alvarez - who possesses a 60-2-2 file - and suggests it's reflective of the period of boxing. 'Iron Mike' was clearly reminiscing of a time when fighters - himself included - would fearlessly battle any challenger to defend titles.

Alvarez is the sport's most popular fighter and maybe the largest pay-per-view attract boxing, however he has turned away from an attractive bout towards Benavidez whereas a conflict with fellow top-five pound-for-pound member Terence Crawford seems to be off the desk.

The 33-year-old is reportedly locked in negotiations to get pleasure from an all-Mexican Cinco de Mayo weekend combat towards unbeaten countryman Jaime Munguia. Munguia, whose file stands at 43-0 with 34 KOs, is a former 154-pound world champion who participated in six title fights between 2018 and 2019 earlier than shifting up in weight.

He sensationally defeated former middleweight title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko by unanimous choice in June 2023.