SEATTLE - As the bell prepares to toll, anticipation mounts. This Cinco de Mayo weekend, boxing titan Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KO) is set to defend his undisputed super-middleweight title in a high-stakes duel against the formidable, undefeated Jaime Munguía (43-0, 34 KO) at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both camps have spent the last few weeks throwing darts at each other and the fireworks are expected to continue when both fighters meet in the ring on May 4.
El Rey @Canelo faces off with the hopeful @jaimemunguia15 🇲🇽🥊
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2024
Order #CaneloMunguia on @ppv_com NOW: https://t.co/Z5bPrwLQlg pic.twitter.com/YlhialL2Wu
Winner of each of his last three fights, Canelo enters the bout as the clear favorite to retain his undisputed title. In an exclusive interview with The Latin Times, Canelo revealed that he spent the last few months getting his mind and body ready in the mountainous landscape of Lake Tahoe, in California. He also mentioned his eagerness to fight against a Mexican opponent for the first time since 2017, when he defeated Julio César Chávez Jr.
"I realized that I represent Mexico in the world, but I also belong to my fans. People will find it very interesting to see two Mexicans showcasing the best of our boxing. Two Mexicans, on such a big stage as Las Vegas and on such a special date, capturing the attention of the whole world. That makes me very proud," he said. "I think it's very good for Mexican boxing."
If he is to make his fourth successful title defense, he will have to go through a dangerous opponent in Munguía, who has won four of his last five fights via stoppage.
Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Munguía started his professional career in 2013 and will finally get his shot at the champion. It will be Munguía's third fight at the supper-middleweight division, having moved up to the division in 2023. In his last fight, he defeated British boxer John Ryder in nine rounds.
"I'm so excited," Munguia said. "It's a great opportunity. I'm going to take advantage of it to the fullest, and tomorrow, I'm going to be the new world champion."
Both fighters successfully made weight on May 3, with the defending champion being a tad lighter than Munguía entering Saturday.
Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez
166.8 lbs
5'8" (1.73 m)
70 1/2" (179 cm)
60-2-2; 39 KO
-525
Tale of the Tape
Weight
Height
Reach
Record
Money line
Jaime Munguía
167.4 lbs
6'0" (1.83 m)
72" (183 cm)
43-0-0; 34 KO
+380
With the WBC, WBA, IBF & WBO super-middleweight titles up for grabs, Munguía will try to seize the opportunity at dethroning Álvarez whose only losses have come against non-Mexican boxers (Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol).
The 27-year-old Munguía will try to use his youth and size an advantage against the powerful veteran. According to his trainer Freddie Roach, the young Mexican has developed into more than just a powerful hitter. "He's slipping punches, making guys miss," Roach told BoxingScene. "He counters on top of that – countering's the important part, 'cause that's where the points can be scored," he added.
The Hall of Fame trainer also went on to reveal some of the routes in which Munguía could upset Álvarez on May 4. "He's got to keep working behind the jab and keep snapping at the jab and keep stepping in with the jab," Roach said. "You can't reach with two jabs, but if he steps in with two or three jabs and puts this guy on the ropes, and then powers right hands into the body and the head ... this guy's gonna eat [punches] all night."
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