DESPITE rumours that he would fight Jermall Charlo on May 4, common sense has prevailed and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will instead go up against Jaime Munguia, a fellow Mexican, on that date.
The fight between Alvarez and Munguia will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will of course be a highlight of Cinco de Mayo weekend. It is for that reason it probably makes sense for Alvarez to fight a fellow Mexican, particularly as he finds himself accompanied by not one but two of them up at super-middleweight. If it wasn’t going to be Munguia for this date, there was always the option of David Benavidez. In the end, you felt as though it had to be one of them.
“I’m very proud and excited to be able to make this fight,” said Alvarez, 60-2-2 (39). “A Mexican versus another Mexican is always a huge fight and it’s been a while since there’s been one like this. It’s great to give an opportunity like this to a fighter that’s earned it like Jaime has. It gives me a lot of joy that two Mexicans will be facing each other in such a big fight for the sport.”
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The 27-year-old Munguia, 43-0 (34), first rose to prominence in 2018 when he stopped Sadam Ali inside four rounds to claim the WBO super-welterweight title. This was a belt he successfully defended a total of five times before moving up to middleweight and beating the likes of D’Mitrius Ballard, Gabriel Rosado, and Tureano Johnson. At super-middleweight, meanwhile, the division in which he is currently found, Munguia has stepped up in class and added to his resume the names of Sergiy Derevyanchenko and John Ryder, whom he outpointed over 12 rounds in January.
Now entering his athletic prime, Munguia is no longer considered a work in progress or someone who needs to continue building. He has recently hooked up with Freddie Roach to smooth some of his rough edges of his game and appears to be as ready as he will ever be to face someone like Alvarez, a fighter he will have no doubt admired on the way up.
“I’m very, very happy and filled with enthusiasm for this great opportunity,” said Munguia. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved who were able to make this fight a reality. We are ready to give fans a great night of boxing on Saturday, May 4. I can’t wait to demonstrate to the world that I am capable of doing great things. Viva Tijuana and Viva México!”