Jose Benavidez Sr, father and trainer of two-time super middleweight champion David Benavidez, says their motivation is not fueled by money but the opportunity to get in the ring with Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

“Give us the bare minimum, give Canelo what he wants, we just want the opportunity,” Benavidez Sr. told Mill City Boxing. “We have to prove ourselves first. Pay is not a problem, we will take the minimum."

Benavidez is the WBC's mandatory challenger at 168-pounds, while Canelo holds the undisputed crown with all four of the major sanctioning titles around his waist.

Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Benavidez, recently sent a lucrative offer to Canelo's manager and trainer, Eddy Reynoso. The offer was reportedly worth around $50 million.

But money is not important to Benavidez and his team.

“When everyone says 'payday', we don't give a damn about 'payday'. We care about history," Benavidez Sr. said. 

"We need that fight to make history and show people that we are the best at 168. He needs us, we need him. The only thing he needs for his legacy is [to fight] David Benavidez, to shut everyone up. Everybody wants to see the fight. I think we are [facing Canelo] at the right time. David is too strong, too big, too young. Canelo has too many miles."

And if Canelo considers himself the best, Benavidez Sr. believes that he needs to prove it by taking the top challenges around him.

"I think he is the best and when you are at that level you have to fight anyone," Benavidez Sr. said. "When you're a champion, you fight anyone, that's what makes a champion."

Canelo saw action back in May, when he won a twelve round unanimous decision over John Ryder. Benavidez returned to the ring in March, when he powered past former world champion Caleb Plant to secure a twelve round decision win.