LAS VEGAS – Even with a fascinating, 50-50 fight fast approaching, Canelo Alvarez couldn’t avoid David Benavidez’s name Thursday night.

The undisputed super middleweight champion was asked again about finally fighting Benavidez during a press conference at T-Mobile Arena to promote his heavily promoted showdown with Terence Crawford on Saturday night.

Frustrated fans have heavily criticized the most bankable boxing star in the United States for refusing to fight Benavidez in recent years.

Alvarez disputed having turned down a fight with Benavidez. The Mexican legend didn’t dismiss battling Benavidez at some point in future, but quickly shifted the conversation back to facing Crawford in a 12-round main event Netflix will stream globally.

“Look, I never say no to anything,” Alvarez said. “We’ll see later. But I’m focused a hundred percent on this fight.”

The shrinking odds on Alvarez-Crawford are nearly down to even (-165+135), despite Crawford moving up two weight classes.

Guadalajara’s Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), ranked No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, will defend his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 168-pound crowns against the third-ranked Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs). Crawford, of Omaha, Nebraska, can become a champion in a fifth division and an undisputed champ in a third weight class by beating Alvarez.

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) moved up to light heavyweight last year once it became completely clear that Alvarez wouldn’t fight him. The Phoenix native will defend his WBC 175-pound title against England’s Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in the main event of “The Ring IV” card November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Alvarez has fought twice at light heavyweight, but Benavidez isn’t counting on the four-division champ changing his mind about their fight.

“If I never get that fight, I’ll be fine with it,” Benavidez told The Ring recently. “I’m fine with it. Cuz I’m staying in my lane. I’m trying to fight, trying to beat the other best in the world [Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev]. But if that fight does happen, you know, Imma be ready for it. And it’s looking like it could happen.

“I have the [WBC] belt at 175. Canelo says he only fights for greatness, for titles, that’s what excites him. So, now I got a title. You know what I mean? I'mma just keep winning these fights and I’m not thinking about Canelo. But if it does happen, we’re gonna be ready.”