Morales, Barrera: Canelo has to fight his mandatory

By Hesiquio Balderas

This week, former foes Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales are in Mexico City to present a new documentary on their famed trilogy bouts. The trailer was presented to the media and during the event Morales and Barrera had the opportunity to talk about Jaime Munguía, David Benavidez, and Canelo Alvarez.

Morales, who trained Munguía previously, said, “Jaime looked great against Ryder. It’s basically what we’ve been working on for the past four years. Ryder was a great opponent and Jaime was able to do what he does best and Roach’s game plan worked. He was very patient and it paid off.”

Barrera stated, “As Morales said, Munguía looked very good and showed that he is ready for the champion who is Canelo Alvarez. Munguía is the number one in the world by the WBO and Canelo must grant him an opportunity. He deserves it, but then you have Benavidez, who is the [WBC] mandatory challenger, so I think Canelo should face the long-time mandatory Benavidez and then Munguía in May and September accordingly.”

Morales agreed that is a must for the governing bodies to enforce the mandatories. “I think that the champion at 168 should fight his mandatory and that is Benavidez,” said Morales. “They should make that fight happen and it will restore boxing’s reputation. That’s the only way. Benavidez has been mandatory challenger for almost a year now. As long as the bodies enforce it and the people demand it, it should happen.”

Barrera added, “Yes that’s true. I believe Canelo calls the shots and he decides what to do, but he should fight those fights. First Benavidez and then Munguía. That’s what’s fair or maybe Munguía versus Benavidez and the winner should take on Canelo.”

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  • If I could I would confront:

    Munguia VS Morrell
    Canelo VS Benavides
    The winner VS winner

  • i agree with Barrera and Morales and Canelo should fight Benavidez then Munguia and he should beat both of them but has he lost a step? does he still want to be King? does he still want to be P4P the best? only Canelo can answer this question and hopefully he doesnt disappoint us all guess we will just have to wait and see…..

  • Canelo fought Charlo moving up two weights. If he doesn’t fight Benevidez he should be stripped. Its the fight everyone wants to see. Even Canelo said he should fight Plant. He beat him and Andrade. He is hiding his time, but times up. Not paying for your BS Canelo. Second rate Mexican. Wannabe Mayweather

    • All fighters wish they can have a career like Canelo and make a ton of money….if he’s a second rate Mexican then what are you? You could only fantasize doing a small fraction of what Canelo has done

  • If Canelo wanted to fight Benavidez, he would have by now. Sanctioning bodies are in his pocket. Canelo will probably fight Charlo next. Canelo vs Benavidez looks like one of those fights that never gets done. We all want to see it, but Canelo doesn’t care what we want. Benavidez may go to 175 if Canelo doesn’t fight him next. He’s been at 168 since he was a teenager.

  • Morales and Barrera. Two legends who fought everyone, including each other, AT THEIR FREAKING PEAKS. (Sorry, got excited there).

  • Canelo taking those fights and winning them would put him higher than any other peak of his career. Perhaps afterward he could take one more chance at Bivol. I’d love to see it.

  • The funny part was that Barrera won the trilogy against morales but morales beat poison jones and manny Pacquiao boxers that Barrera could not beat

  • Benavidez has been @68 his whole career and is the Numero Uno mandatory!!! Case closed! Munguia just got to 68 and cannot be allowed to cut in front of the line!

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