Good column, Mark. Benavidez is a fascinating fighter, mostly because of the way he has evolved. He's the brother of a one-time leading prospect, Jose Jr. Early in David's career, you'd go to see Jose Jr. and leave talking about David. Even then, the intangibles were evident. Simply put, he loves to fight, now more than ever. Nobody has figured out how to counter his instinctive way of responding to adversity. To wit: David Morrell knocks him off balance to score a knockdown late in the 11th-round. Benavidez' response is immediate. He attacks Morrell with a fury that rattles the Cuban, forcing him into a mistake. Morrell throws a punch after the bell. He's penalized. It didn't matter. On the scorecards, Benavidez was in control. But on another night in a different fight, it could have been critical. Benavidez' fundamental skillset is often questioned, rightfully so. But his willingness to fight never falters. I think Canelo sees that and decides to fight somebody more predictable than Benavidez, an evolving force of nature with a dangerous ability to create instant chaos for anybody in his way.
Good column, Mark. Benavidez is a fascinating fighter, mostly because of the way he has evolved. He's the brother of a one-time leading prospect, Jose Jr. Early in David's career, you'd go to see Jose Jr. and leave talking about David. Even then, the intangibles were evident. Simply put, he loves to fight, now more than ever. Nobody has figured out how to counter his instinctive way of responding to adversity. To wit: David Morrell knocks him off balance to score a knockdown late in the 11th-round. Benavidez' response is immediate. He attacks Morrell with a fury that rattles the Cuban, forcing him into a mistake. Morrell throws a punch after the bell. He's penalized. It didn't matter. On the scorecards, Benavidez was in control. But on another night in a different fight, it could have been critical. Benavidez' fundamental skillset is often questioned, rightfully so. But his willingness to fight never falters. I think Canelo sees that and decides to fight somebody more predictable than Benavidez, an evolving force of nature with a dangerous ability to create instant chaos for anybody in his way.