By Miguel Maravilla
Mexican superstar and undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) of Guadalajara is set for his Cinco De Mayo weekend showdown as he takes on fellow Mexican former world champion Jaime Munguía (43-0, 34 KOs) of Tijuana. The Mexican showdown goes down Saturday, May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video. Canelo displayed the utmost respect to Munguia as they faced off Tuesday afternoon to officially announce the fight.
“This fight is a great source of pride for me because it’s all about Mexico. With our styles, this will be a great fight for Mexican boxing. The fans will be the winners. Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas,” Alvarez said.
Coming off a one-sided decision, Canelo successfully defended his undisputed crown as he annihilated Jermall Charlo for twelve rounds and scored a knockdown in the process to win a unanimous decision last fall.
“It was a good win. I was in control the entire fight. Defending my undisputed title is very important for me,” Canelo on his last title defense.
After months of speculation on who Canelo’s next opponent would be, Alvarez decided to go with Munguia as his May 4th opponent.
“Jaime Munguia is a respectful person and a great fighter who’s earned this fight,” Canelo on his decision to face Munguia.
The list of names for his May 4th fight included WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, as Canelo just defeated his twin brother. Then Munguia’s name entered the sweepstakes. There was also some buzz of a fight with Edgar Berlanga but the fight everyone demanded was Canelo vs Benavidez.
“He brings nothing to the table for me. The only thing Benavidez brings to the table is 25 plus pounds the day of the fight.”
As a result, the boxing world and avid fans now begin the notion that Canelo is avoiding a showdown with the undefeated former world champion David Benavidez. Is Canelo avoiding Benavidez? When asked at Tuesday afternoon’s kickoff press conference, Canelo responded.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. This fight with Jaime Munguia, you must respect it. Remember all of you were asking for Golovkin, Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and then…” Canelo on Benavidez.
When a fellow reporter asked Canelo if he had been offered a contract to fight David Benavidez, Alvarez responded.
“He is in no position to be offering me a contract or money.”
Alvarez has also mentioned that he doesn’t like to fight Mexicans, however, Munguia hails from the northern part of Mexico in the border town of Tijuana, setting the stage for the Mexican showdown.
“I’ve mentioned before that I don’t like to fight my fellow Mexican fighters. The reason being is because I proudly represent my country. Munguia has earned the right to fight me,” Canelo said. “In the end, there will be critics that are never satisfied,”
His opponent, Munguia made his presence known back in 2018 when he stopped Sadam Ali to win the WBO super welterweight title. After successfully defending his title, Munguia moved up to middleweight and campaigned at the weight class. Making the move up to super middleweight, Munguia edged out a tough Sergiy Dereveyanchenko last summer to win a decision. Munguia is coming off an impressive stoppage over John Ryder earlier this year to earn him a shot at Canelo.
“Munguia is a disciplined smart fighter who hits hard. He’s a power puncher and I like a challenge. He’s a fighter who can give the fans the show they deserve,” Canelo on Munguia.
Canelo will now begin his training camp in Lake Tahoe alongside his longtime trainer Eddie Reynoso in preparation for Jaime Munguia.
“We must train 100 percent because of the fighter Jaime Munguia is. A tough and determined fighter,” Canelo on his upcoming camp. “I know what I’m in for come May 4th,” Canelo concluded.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
COWARD!!! I can’t believe the crap he says. He has placed virtually every obstacle known to boxing in order to avoid fighting Benavidez! No MAMES CANELO!!!!!
yea, he should fight Benavidez then Tyson Fury … you delusional frustrated people
I guarantee you wouldn’t face either one in the ring, Guaranteed!! Easy to talk tough with a keyboard!!
Let’s go munguiaaaaaa
Im expecting a good scrap. Canelo’s fight with Ryder has shown himself to be on the sliding end.
“This fight is a great source of pride for me because it’s all about Mexico”
If thats true then why have the fight in Las Vegas and not Mexico?
That’s exactly what you was doing on almost every fight.. fighting smallest guy with 25 plus pounds advantages the night of the fight…cotto..Mosley. khan lara.just to mention fews.. please give the boxing fans what they want.so you could call you self best fighter of the division
I think you are a hatter because canelo started his career at 147 lbs the become a champion at 154 so he has never fought a small guy he has also big fighters like bivol , callus Smith, Billy Joe sanders, Caleb plant , Kovalev, ggg,Daniel Jacobs etc. Etc. Etc
Smallest risk for the largest reward; Jake Paul does the same thing, and Mayweather did it late in his career, starting a trend. At least Paul and Mayweather fight and fought anyone regardless of Nationality. Canelo got used to fighting European pastries and danishes, got comfortable, and then tried to step out of his weight class against a fresh and bigger Bivol and was outmatched. No shame in that. Give him credit for that attempt; but that was one Blini (Russian pastry) that he could not devour. I could see him fighting Benavidez for 9 figures with a 75/25 split and a same day weight gain clause thrown in. Will Benavidez accept if offered something like that?
Blah, blah, blah, DMV, nationality, fkin shut up. Mayweather fought people all past their prime. The you tuber fights nobodies and if the fight with Tyson is real, he is going to get hurt. You must be the biggest joke in your neighborhood.
I maybe wrong but I think Canelo is hoping Turki Alalshikh will offer him an insane amount of money for Benavidez. He seems to be able to make fights happen when others cannot. If that does happen, I hope Benavidez does not get roped into a rehydration clause.
Blah blah blah…I hope Canelo later fights Benavidez for all the marbles. Otherwise, blah blah blah.
If canelo wins he will announce his fight against Benavides for for september
You are a fool, Carlos. Edgard Berlanga is the guy for September. In every interview, Canelo has stated that he will never fight Benavidez, and team Benavidez has decided to forget about Canelo, and they will pursue the winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev if he is victorious against Gvozdyk.
Spin me round-round. Good fight. Not sure about Munguia “earning” the fight, but it should be a good one with plenty of leather flying left and right. Two granite chins, but Alvarez has the advantage in speed, experience and accuracy.If the fight ends in a stoppage, it will be Canelo who stops Munguia with a nasty counter. I’m thinking off the ropes as Munguia charges in.
As far as the Benavides comment, we know for certain that the fight will never happen unless Benavides agrees to be weight drained. La princesa and his one-sided arrangements. Let’s see what Munguia had to sacrifice in order to get this fight.
Not the most challenging fight for the fans and Canelo.
We are being fed fish heads instead of filet mignon
Read between the lines. From Canelo’s own words.
Saul is avoiding the Day-before Weigh-in scandalous procedure that allows David Benavidez to have a clear weight advantage on fight night. Canelo is correct in this regard to safeguard his healthfulness. All the Benavidez opponents that did NOT contest the Same-day Weigh-in procedure with their legal team [ against Benavidez ] are completely inept. Meanwhile, wannabe warriors call Canelo ‘ducking,’ and are disrespectful. Why isn’t Benavidez screaming Same-day Weigh-in to ‘even’ the competition ?
“From Canelo’s own words”
Oh, it must be true. lmao
Nobody really asked for Callum Smith or Bj Saunders. And he waited til Golovkin was just past his prime and was awarded a gift (draw). I understand not every fight is gonna be the most dangerous, risky fighter but he’s ducking Benevidez. He’s waiting for Benevidez to fully outgrow super middle so he can claim it wasn’t his fault the fight never happened. Or make David drain himself to make weight when he no longer can. And just because Mayweather made fights this way doesn’t make it right for fans.
I’m actually getting more excited about this fight.
Canelo has already achieved more than any boxer can dream off in a lifetime! So, if the heavyweight benavidez fight doesn’t happen then, let it be. Its a high risk fight so, if the right money is there then, he’ll take the risk! Canelo is asking $150-$200 million to set the fight so, its upto the promotors or the saudi prince/kings to set it up! This dudes pay millions for bullishtt fights and bullishht events so, a fight of this magnitude, a fight every boxing fan want to see it’s worth the money! To the saudi arabians, $150 million dollars its pocket change! So, if the fight doesn’t happen, it will not affect canelo’s legacy at all, it will only make a few fans a bit bitter and pissed off but, that doesn’t pay the bills!
Boxing fans are the only fans in the world that will defend bad choices like their life depends on it.
Imagine if in any other sport, football, rugby, basketball, baseball, tennis…etc. You could call yourself the best while avoiding the best teams/players and fans being like “yeah that makes sense!”
As the person playing for these PPVs why would you beg and please for less than your money is worth? This is why Boxing is losing to MMA because the best can’t avoid fighting the best. You’ll get multiple championship fights in 1 night some nights and at least 5-10 competitive fights. Meanwhile boxing continues to shit down the throats of fans and people like you RUSH to swallow it…why?
Canelo – “I know what I’m in for, and it’s not David Benavidez!”
Just a king way around saying yeah I’m ducking Benevidez so what, boxing sucks right now, thanks canelo for taking the easy fights, I guess it’s not your fault if you can get away with it? It does make me wonder if canelo could even beat that clown Jake Paul cause Benevidez would knock canelo out, canelo doesn’t want to fight anybody , Charlo, lol yeah ok
Every single great warrior who has lost a fight, avenges their loss. Canelo a hero millions including my son’s,has lost every single ounce of respect I had for him . Never can he claim to be the best Mexican fighter . He has the heart of a flea. He screwed bivol saying he was planning on fighting him . Bivol waited and believed the heartless weasel. Hey canelo, win or lose dont not get your respect back . Give bivol the respect he deserves . Or you can go crawl under a rock and be a coward sissy. Canelo the clown ..
hopefully its real fight and not the usual “$cripted fight ” where the “employee” doesn’t want to hit the “boss “.
1.) It was Jermell not Jermall.
2.) Yes people wanted the first two GGG fights, which victory could’ve gone either way. The 3rd fight lost its steam since Canelo waited 4 years to fight a 40 year old GGG.
3.) I’m not so sure if the fans really wanted to see him vs Smith or Saunders. Canelo fought them for the belts, not coz it’s what the fans wanted, really.
4.) The best recent opposition was by far Bivol. Which is something he has to prove in their rematch.
5.) What fans really want to see now or this year, is Canelo vs Benavidez. Don’t see why hes not making it happen. He should just give the fans what they want.
Benavidez pretty much earned his right, as well.
All you dumbasses thinking Canelo will lose against Benavides are nothing but wishful thinking casuals. Bivol is a much scarier fighter than David, and even though it wasn’t even close Canelo took his punches and hung in there. If he wants to win the Canelo sweepstakes, beat Bivol and then claim your price . Otherwise all you casuals wanting David to beat Saul wish in one hand and crap on the other see which one fills up first .
Coward big time!!!!Nobody ask for smith and saunders by the way,nobody!!!! and by the way ,Charlo was a lot more smaller naturally…The only fight was Benavidez!!!!
Coward big time!!!!Nobody ask for smith and saunders by the way,nobody!!!! and by the way ,Charlo was a lot more smaller naturally…The only fight was Benavidez!!!!