Canelo Alvarez will face a stern test in undefeated Jaime Munguia as he once again defends the undisputed super-middleweight title, but he may already have his eyes on another bout.
Legendary multiple-weight world champion Alvarez has already fought off three challengers since unifying the division. But many feel that he is not taking on the toughest test in the division when he faces Munguia, who is a former super-welterweight champion.
The Mexican duo will headline at the T-Mobile Arena on Cinco De Mayo weekend, which will be an historic night for Mexican boxing. Alvarez is an heavy favourite, but Munguia is confident that he can cause the upset and become the new face of the sport.
Canelo Alvarez warned he is becoming ‘the diva of boxing’ ahead of Jaime Munguia fight
One factor in the fight is the seven-year age gap between the pair. Despite only being 33, Alvarez has amassed a number of injuries and niggles while boxing for around 18 years as a professional after turning over at the young age of just 15.
Munguia, on the other hand, is just 27 and has considerably less miles on the clock as he heads into what is a life-changing fight for him. And his promoter Oscar De La Hoya who took care of Alvarez’s career for 11 years believes that time is running out for the iconic multiple-weight champion.
“Canelo has all the tools,” De La Hoya said during a media workout for Munguia this week. “But those tools are getting rusty, it happens in boxing. As much as you want to put WD40 on your elbow and your knee it just happens, age doesn’t forgive, father time.
“Right now Munguia is in the perfect position where he has to execute and follow his gameplan. Freddie Roach is a perfect coach for Jaime, they’ve already had a fight together and he’s going to push him to the limits which Jaime loves because he’s young and fresh.
“Then you have Canelo who has been through wars. He’s had operations on his shoulders, his knees, he’s tired. He’s now the diva of boxing, so all that plays into this fight we’re going to see on May 4. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be a great fight.”
Jermall Charlo claims he will get chance to avenge brother Jermell’s loss to Canelo Alvarez in September
Experts have believed that Alvarez may be eyeing future fights already, and it now seems that is the case with Jermall Charlo saying that he will be fighting the Mexican this September. Alvarez dropped his brother Jermell in a dominant win, but the siblings were believed to be in a feud at the time.
Now, Jermall says, it is time to get it back for the family, after his brother jumped up two weight divisions in order to replace him when their initially planned fight was shelved. The twins are both champion boxers, but it had been long expected that Jermall would get the Alvarez fight.
Speaking on Instagram live, Jermall Charlo told fans: “I’m going to fight Canelo, I’m going to get my brothers revenge in September. Yeah, y’all just hearing it now.” Asked where the fight would take place, he replied that they “don’t know yet”.
The initial plan was for Jermall to take a tune-up fight after over two years out of the ring while his brother took the first Alvarez fight. But after a lacklustre showing from his sibling and a poor return win of his own, the second fight of the series was initially scrapped in favour of Canelo vs Munguia.