Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia’s upcoming undisputed super-middleweight world title clash has fans divided across the boxing world.
Many believe that Alvarez is too high of a level for Munguia, who even as a former world champion has yet to test himself at the absolute top tier in the sport. But others feel that after almost two decades as a professional the legendary Mexican may have too many miles on the clock.
Bookies have named Munguia as a considerable underdog, but they have been defied before and Alvarez has not looked at his best in recent outings. He hasn’t finished a fight since the end of 2021 against Caleb Plant, and struggled to look his best in his last few defences.
Canelo Alvarez insists he is able for ten more fights ahead of Jaime Munguia clash
After years of winning world titles all the way from welterweight up to light-heavyweight, it might be easy to forget that Alvarez is just 33-years-old. But he has been injured and cut multiple times in his legendary career, which some feel could be his undoing against Munguia.
He has fought as a professional 64 times since the age of 15, and while he insists that he could box as many as ten more times he has noticeably slowed in recent years. He lost for a second time in 2022 when he re-entered the light-heavyweight ranks, and has since had a few lacklustre title defences.
Speaking in the pair’s pre-fight documentary series Gloves Off, he explained: “I don’t know how many fights I have left. I haven’t thought about it. I go fight by fight, maybe ten maybe five, maybe three or four?
“I don’t know but I’m going to keep fighting because I feel good. As long as I feel this way we’ll see. Maybe one day I’ll say that’s it. It makes me feel very sad to realise that one day I might retire, but I don’t want to think about that. Let’s enjoy it.”
Canelo Alvarez accused of falling out of love with boxing as Jaime Munguia clash approaches
With days to go until fight number 65 of his professional career, Alvarez’s former promoter Oscar De La Hoya reckons that he has been showing signs of losing his drive for the sport. The former world champion is now Munguia’s promoter, and has an heated feud with his former charge.
“Canelo is a slow starter,” De La Hoya explained during a recent media workout for Munguia. “We know that and I’ve always said Canelo is now walking on quicksand. His legs are getting heavy, he’s getting tired, he’s mentally, physically ‘oh my gosh, I’ve got to this again? Oh wait I’m getting paid let me do it!’
“It’s not all about the love any more. Munguia loves this, he loves this position and he’s going to make that a huge factor coming into the fight.”
John Ryder backs Canelo Alvarez to ‘handily’ defeat Jaime Munguia
When looking for an analyst of next weekend’s big fight, nobody is a better call than multiple-time world title contender John Ryder. The Brit has fought both Alvarez and Munguia within the last year, and experienced both of their strengths and weaknesses when he faced the pair.
Alvarez absolutely brutalised Ryder in one of the most destructive performances in recent memory, but was unable to get rid of the London native. Then this January, Munguia managed to get that elusive stoppage, although he feels that isn’t proof that the underdog can come through.
Speaking with Seconds Out, Ryder said: “I think it’s a Canelo win for me, but I don’t think it will be an easy fight. I think it’s a fight Canelo can win and win pretty handily, I don’t know if he’ll get him out of there but Munguia is tough, has a good chin, he’s fit and throws a lot of shots.
“But I think Canelo’s just a bit too smart and it will all just come down to the miles on the clock for Canelo, I believe.”