Robert Garcia is one of the most well-respected trainers in boxing. At any given time he has roughly 30 professional fighters in his gym throughout the day training for marquee televised fights.
His perspective on Canelo Alvarez fighting Jaime Munguia on Saturday, May 4th, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is of significant interest.
Garcia had a slew of fighters last Saturday in Fresno, Calif., including junior welterweight main eventer Jose Ramirez, junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr., and lightweight Oscar Duarte to name a few. Garcia is not just a great trainer, but a road warrior – he goes city-to-city to help his fighters as they enter career-defining fights.
Garcia, who has a boxing channel on YouTube where he expresses his views, shared his thoughts on the pay-per-view bout.
Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs), 27, is six years younger than Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs), but that only tells half of the story. Canelo turned pro in 2005 – and Munguia turned pro in 2013. Garcia favors the experience of Canelo Alvarez in his thoughts on the fight.
“I think Munguia will put up some good rounds,” Garcia told BoxingScene.
“But, eventually Canelo catches him, and maybe hurts him, and maybe stops him,” reflected the well-respected Garcia, who has a gym in Riverside, Calif.
Garcia made note of the fact that the styles match well. Both fighters hit hard. With Canelo’s IBF, WBA, WBO, and WBC super middleweight world titles on the line against Munugia, there’s more than just Mexican pride at stake, with the chance of becoming an undisputed champion. Munguia, who is a former world champion, took a slow road back to a big fight – but now is there.
Garcia thinks the bout will be enjoyable.
“As long as the fight lasts, I think it is going to be a fight,” remarked Garcia.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.