From a promotional standpoint, he completely denied David Benavidez the “money shot” that usually fuels these massive pay-per-view builds.
If Canelo is in the front row when Benavidez gets that sixth-round stoppage, the cameras immediately pan to him. Benavidez gets to point at him, the crowd roars, and the narrative that the fight is “happening” becomes unavoidable.
By exiting after Munguia’s win, Canelo dictated the terms of his own presence. He showed support for a fellow Mexican fighter and teammate, then vanished before he could be used as a backdrop for someone else’s marketing campaign.
While fans often label this as ducking, it looks more like a cold business calculation. Canelo knows that his presence is a valuable commodity.
By leaving, Canelo deflated the Benavidez Post-Fight Hype. Benavidez called him out to an empty seat, which carries far less importance than a highlight reel. The move by Canelo also kept the focus on Munguia. He presented the night around Jaime’s success against Resendiz rather than the “Monster” in the main event.
Canelo’s exit also maintained his leverage. He continues to signal that he is the one who decides when, where, and if a fight happens.
Benavidez becoming a three-division champion by stopping a guy like Ramirez is a huge statement, but Canelo is the rare star who can make a statement just by being absent.