With tensions between Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia pretty much non-existent for this weekend’s big fight, there has been a different battle that’s getting fans riled up.
For the first time since Alvarez left promoter Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer has been forced to work with Golden Boy Promotions as part of this weekend’s event. And tensions have flared between the pair as they reunited following an acrimonious split in 2020.
During negotiations both teams were able to communicate through different proxies, meaning that it wasn’t until Wednesday’s press conference that the pair actually met. De La Hoya had come ready for verbal battle, with Alvarez striking back.
Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez go to war at heated press conference
After a tepid grand arrivals ceremony on Tuesday, all eyes turned to the MGM Grand where Alvarez and Munguia were due for their final press conference. The Mexican duo are headlining an historic Cinco De Mayo show, and have been respectful of one another in the build-up.
But De La Hoya came armed with a speech, telling Alvarez: “Golden Boy built Canelo Alvarez, period. The company you fought under for decades has always had one name and it’s mine. So put some f***ing respect on it.”
Eventually things almost came to blows as Alvarez stood up and moved towards De La Hoya, but the pair were separated before any physicality could happen. The comments between the two have remained hostile and there is clear bad blood, even without Munguia.
Oscar De La Hoya claims he is ‘over’ Canelo Alvarez feud
However, in an interview with The Guardian today, De La Hoya has claimed that he is “over” his personal rivalry with Alvarez. Speaking with Donald McRae, the former world champion and Olympic gold medalist explained his position and what a Jaime Munguia win would mean to him.
“Oh, when Munguia wins,” he said, “I will be the happiest person on earth. Not because of getting back at Canelo. I’m over that. Canelo will come and go and I will be a promoter until I’m 80 or 90. I want Munguía to win because he deserves it as he is a class act.
“I’ve promoted Munguia since the beginning of his career and we’re stronger than ever. He has a shot on Saturday night to shock the world and I’ll be the first to smile, hug and congratulate him.”
Oscar De La Hoya confused by bitter Canelo Alvarez rivalry
The pair worked together for over a decade before the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when a legal battle ended in Alvarez leaving Golden Boy. He went on to work with Matchroom Boxing and PBC as he unified the super-middleweight division and attempted to win another light-heavyweight belt.
De La Hoya insists that he doesn’t know why, four years on, there are still tensions. In that Guardian interview, he continued: “Canelo wants no part of me. I’ve been trying to figure out the reason. We had a great working relationship for about 10 years.
“He claimed I was not loyal, which I still can’t wrap my head around. I did critique his trainer after Canelo lost [to Floyd Mayweather in 2013]. I said: ‘Maybe you need help. It doesn’t hurt to get some extra eyes and more experience.’
“Maybe that’s it. Me and Canelo have no relationship whatsoever now. It’s OK. As long as he puts on a great fight with Munguía I’m content.”