Canelo Álvarez defended his undisputed super-middleweight title Saturday night, knocking down Jaime Munguia in the fourth round of a unanimous-decision win.
Judges scored the fight 117-110, 116-111, 115-112 in favor of Álvarez.
Alvarez landed 234 of 536 punches, while Munguia answered with 170 of 663.
“I took my time. I had 12 rounds to win the fight, and I did,” Alvarez said. “He’s strong but he’s slow. I could see his punches. That’s why I’m the best. I have a lot of experience.”
Alvarez added that if the money is right, he’s ready to fight fast-ascending 168-pound contender David Benavidez.
Canelo Álvarez defends his super-middleweight title, defeating Jaime Munguia
LAS VEGAS — Canelo Álvarez held off a feisty challenger Saturday night, proving to be the stronger and more effective boxer to retain his undisputed super middleweight championship, winning by unanimous decision to hand Jaime Munguia his first loss.
Tim Cheatham scored the fight 117-110, David Sutherland had it 116-111 and Steve Weisfeld 115-112.
Álvarez (61-2-2), who closed as a minus-380 at BetMGM, overcame a somewhat slow start to dominate Munguia (43-1) before a crowd of 17,492. The champ took full control after knocking down Munguia in the fourth round.
The lead-up to the bout was unusually polite, with both fighters saying they were proud to represent Mexico on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Álvarez saved his harshest criticism during week not for his opponent, but for Munguia’s promoter. Oscar De La Hoya used to be in Alvarez’s corner, but they clearly are on opposite sides now and nearly even came to blows Wednesday at the news conference after trading allegations.
Munguia the most aggressive boxer the first three rounds, even getting Álvarez into the ropes in the third. Alvarez, though, showed in the fourth he wasn’t going anywhere, using a left and then a right to the face to send Munguia to the canvass with 38 seconds left.
Álvarez then proceeded to sting Munguia over the next four rounds with shots to the face. Munguia put together his own sets of flurries, but they did little noticeable damage to Alvarez.
That is until the ninth round when Munguia landed some blows to the face that sent Álvarez backward, including into the corner at one point. But Alvarez responded with his own combinations, including coming out of the corner, in the fight’s most action-packed round.
The 10th and 11th rounds were close, but largely the same trends followed of Alvarez delivering the harder shots.
Munguia came out in the final round fighting as if he knew he was trailing on the judges’ card, but did little damage. It was Álvarez who again came through with the best blows, using a combination with about a minute left to Munguia’s head and following with several more shots to end the fight.
Round 12 recap: Canelo Álvarez holds off Jaime Munguia
Round 12: An aggressive Canelo Álvarez mutes Munguia’s offense in the final round and connects with a crushing combination capped off with a left hook.
He takes a quick second to admire his work with a nod of his head as Munguia gathers himself. The final bell rings, and we should be moments away from a decisive unanimous decision win for Alvarez.
Round 11 recap: Pace picks up, but Jaime Muguia is running out of time
Round 11: The pace has picked up once again in the championship rounds.
Jaime Munguia knows he needs to close the show in style and he is pressing forward and letting his hands go.
Canelo Álvarez, meanwhile, could be inclined to look for his first knockout win since 2021.
The ebb and flow of the fight has been terrific so far. Could there be drama in the last three minutes?
Round 10 recap: Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia trade big punches
Round 10: Canelo Álvarez stops Jaime Munguia in his tracks with an overhand right hand.
Munguia answers back with a nice series of punches himself, snapping back Álvarez’s head.
Munguia also keeps focusing on the body and has been doing great work in that area all night. He has landed 44 total body punches in the fight so far. But the always-ready Álvarez has had the countershot to answer all night.
Round 9 recap: Jaime Munguia shows some life again
Round 9: Jaime Munguia gets off his stool rejuvenated and unleashes a combination.
Shortly after, he is warned for a low blow. He doesn’t let the pause in action deter him from keeping the punches in bunches coming.
An annoyed Canelo Álvarez angles Munguia into the ropes and lets go of a one-two combo.
A nice bounce-back round for Munguia. But it appears he needs to sweep the last three rounds and even score a knockdown to have a chance at winning the fight.
Round 8 recap: Canelo Álvarez continues to attack Jaime Munguia
Round 8: Canelo Álvarez continues to sustain his attack.
Jaime Munguia gets caught with a left but answers with a body shot. There is still a lot more fight left, but Álvarez is starting to get in cruise control with punishing offense.
Munguia’s body language does not look too good as he walks to the corner.
Round 7 recap: Canelo Álvarez lands massive left hook
Round 7: Canelo Álvarez connects with a massive left hook with a minute to go in the round that backs up Jaime Munguia.
Moments before, Munguia was trying to muster an attack to no avail. Munguia is trying to find a way, but the seasoned and more experienced Álvarez is landing the more effective shots.
Munguia appears to look slower and more desperate as the fight unfolds.
Round 6 recap: Canelo Álvarez in control vs. Jaime Munguia
Round 6: Back-to-back left hooks from Canelo Álvarez to the body of Jaime Munguia begin the round.
Munguia answers back with two separate sequences unleashing furious combinations. But many of the punches are not breaking through the guard.
Álvarez has been taking over the last three rounds. The first half of the fight is complete, and Munguia needs to make adjustments.
We’ll see how Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach can help rally his charge.
Round 5 recap: Canelo Álvarez continues to put pressure on Jaime Munguia
Round 5: Canelo Álvarez continues the momentum from the knockdown in the previous round and presses the action forward, picking and popping his crushing shots one at a time as he pleases.
The right hand is working wonders for Álvarez, who is getting through the guard of his countryman.
Jaime Munguia has slowed considerably since tasting the canvas. He needs to catch a second wind and reestablish his jab.
Round 4 recap: Canelo Álvarez knocks down Jaime Munguia
Round 4: Canelo Álvarez rocks Jaime Munguia on the button with a thunderous short right uppercut to the chin that knocks down Munguia for the first time in his career.
A left hook set it up. Munguia picked himself off the canvas but he was badly rocked. He managed to make it to the end of the round.
Round 3 recap: Jaime Munguia lands a big left hook
Round 3: A big left hook from Jaime Munguia is met with a right uppercut from Alvarez. But Munguia is the aggressor and ends the round remarkably by snapping Álvarez’s head back with a furious combination in the corner.
The action is heating up incredibly. The tilt has been tit for tat so far.
Can the younger Munguia keep up the furious pace against the calculated Álvarez?
Round 2 recap: Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia trade punches
Round 2: Álvarez connects with a thudding body shot and follows up the leather up top as well. Jaime Munguia answers by unleashing a furious combination but most are blocked.
Álvarez stays calm and answers with a three-punch and two-punch combination that backs up Alvarez.
Munguia answers with a big left hook of his own, only to have Álvarez snap his head back in return with a big right hand. A very close round to score.
Round 1 recap: Jaime Munguia puts on the pressure to start, gets a warning
Round 1: Jaime Munguia starts the fight by pressing forward. He unleashes a jab several times and sets up a key combination.
Canelo Álvarez, typically a slow starter, unleashes a pair of big left hooks.
Munguia gets a hard warning for a foul from referee Thomas Taylor.
Munguia landed 10 out 39 punches in the round, while Alvarez landed five of 11.
Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia is about to start
Tonight’s main event, Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia, is about to start at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Mario Barrios drops Fabian Maidana, scores unanimous decision
Mario Barrios weathered a nasty eye injury to put away Fabian Maidana in the co-main event.
Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) dropped Maidana (22-3, 16 KOs) and cruised to a unanimous decision victory to retain his interim WBC welterweight title.
All three judges scored the 12-round fight 116-111 in favor of Barrios, who was the busier and more accurate fighter despite his impaired vision.
Barrios landed 139 of 449 of his punches, and Maidana countered with 84 of 323.
Barrios’ chopping right hand to the chin dropped Maidana in the third round for the first time in his career, but the Argentine recovered quickly and made it out of the round without further trouble.
Midway through the action, Barrios’ right eye started to swell, but the injury didn’t deter him from continuing to lay the leather on Maidana, the younger brother of former two-division champion Marcos Maidana.
By the end of the fight, Barrios’ eye socket was swollen like a gumball and his eye was closed, but he banked the win nevertheless.
Brandon Figueroa blasts Jessie Magdaleno with ninth-round body shot
After committing a series of fouls, Brandon Figueroa made sure the last punch he landed on Jessie Magdaleno was a legitimate one that counted.
Figueroa broke the body of Magdaleno with a buzzer-beating liver shot that folded his foe as the bell sounded at the end of the ninth round, and Magdaleno was counted out.
Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs), a former unified 122-pound champion, came into the fight off a career-long 14-month layoff. He started slow but found more success in the sixth round and built momentum until the finish to secure the interim WBC featherweight title.
With 30 seconds left in the first round, an accidental clash of heads caused a cut above Magdaleno’s left eyelid. But in between the exchange, the southpaw landed a crushing overhand right.
The fouls kept coming as Magdaleno (29-3, 18 KOs) absorbed a low blow in the waning moments of the fourth round that left him folded on the canvas for an extended time.
By the fifth round, the leaning Figueroa instigated another clash of heads, forcing referee Allen Huggins to give a hard warning.
Before succumbing to the final blow of the fight, Magdaleno was having his fair share of positive moments.
In total, Figueroa landed 129 of 470 punches and Magdaleno was 115 of 317.
Magdaleno, who also held a 122-pound title for 15 months from 2016 to 2018, came into the fight 2.6 pounds over the 126-pound limit.
More experts predict the winner of Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
Jaime Munguia is a very good offensive fighter who has a diverse arsenal and the energy and desire to throw a lot of punches. But he’s facing a guy with terrific defensive skills and a legendarily good chin. Munguia has a good chin, but he’s far from a complete fighter defensively and he’s going to get hit. I believe Canelo Álvarez will systematically break him down and stop him late by 10th-round TKO.
— Kevin Iole, founder, KevinIole.com
Munguia is a relentless puncher who has youth on his side to possibly make this a close bout against Álvarez. But the Derevyanchenko fight is a reminder that Munguia’s poor defense will likely hurt him against Álvarez’s precise countershots. I’ll save my Álvarez upset prediction for another young, emerging fighter in David Benavidez — if they ever fight. Álvarez by split decision.
— Gilberto Manzano, staff writer, Sports Illustrated & co-founder of Compas on the Beat
I have a lot of respect for Munguia, who is a good all-around fighter and seems to be thriving under new trainer Freddie Roach. He’s nearing the peak of his abilities. And he could be catching Álvarez at the right time, as he’s not quite the fighter he once was after 64 pro fights. The problem for Munguia is that even at 80% to 90%, Alvarez is still better — as well as more experienced — than his younger countryman, which makes this a fairly easy prediction. Álvarez is going to do his thing, which is to gradually cut the distance on Munguia, land more and more power punches as the fight progresses, wear Munguia down, and take control of the fight by the later rounds. The future Hall of Famer Álvarez will win by knockout sometime in the last three rounds.
— Michael Rosenthal, editor, Boxing Junkie (USA Today Sports)
Any disappointment over Saturday’s opponent needs to be brushed aside. Álvarez and Munguia will deliver an exciting contest for Cinco de Mayo weekend. Munguia will come to fight, and his best chance is to come right at Álvarez with all the firepower and youthful energy he can muster. The crafty, economical Álvarez can’t match Munguia in punch volume, and he won’t try. He will attack when openings or mistakes present themselves as one of the best counterpunchers in boxing. Munguia will push Álvarez, but inevitably he will get hit with a withering body punch or hook to the head. I believe Munguia’s chin will hold up, and the fight will end in a decision win for Álvarez. Still, a good performance will only improve Munguia’s reputation and help advance his career as Álvarez’s Mexican heir apparent.
— Gayle Falkenthal, West Coast bureau chief, NYFights.com
Questions surround, perhaps haunt Álvarez. Is he too old? Is he too comfortable? Too rich? In decline? Against David Benavidez, he might be. Against Jaime Munguia, he won’t be. Álvarez, who continues to sidestep the dangerous Benavidez, is fighting Munguia, perhaps at the right time and for all of the right reasons. At this late stage in his long career, Álvarez has experience that Munguia can’t rival and punching precision that Munguia can’t elude. Álvarez’s tactical know-how and counters will be enough to slow down and beat the younger Munguia, who might be a fight or two away from having a real chance at upsetting the celebrated Mexican. Álvarez by unanimous decision.
— Norm Frauenheim, writer, 15Rounds.com
I really hate pooh-poohing fight after fight, but I feel the same about this matchup as I did about many other recent “big fights.” This looks like a glorified tuneup for Álvarez, but what is he tuning up for? Álvarez has slowed down, but he still should have more than enough to beat the one-dimensional Munguia, who punches wide and has no defense. The guess here is that Álvarez knocks him out in the middle to late rounds or wins a comfortable decision. There’s a reason Munguia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, instigated a war of words with Álvarez. This isn’t a fight that sells itself. This is a fight that has to be sold.
— Dylan Hernández, columnist, Los Angeles Times
Munguia has the attributes to be among the boxing elite, with speed in his hands and a solid jaw, plus he’s physically bigger than Álvarez and is a high-volume puncher. Nicknamed “Tatanka,” Munguia is six years younger than Álvarez, although this could be a disadvantage given Alvarez’s extensive experience in championship fights. Munguia is known for having a weak defense, something Álvarez could take advantage of with his dangerous uppercut and counterpunch, which have made him a champion in four divisions and the wealthiest Mexican boxer in history. Munguia’s technique is not as good as Álvarez’s nor is his boxing IQ. Álvarez wins this one by KO in the late rounds. However, I expect Munguia to give a good fight, show some character, and demonstrate why some consider him the next face of Mexican boxing.
— Eduard Cauich, sports reporter, LA Times en Español
My expectations for this fight are not different from the many others that Álvarez has been part of. Álvarez hasn’t stopped anyone since beating Caleb Plant in November 2021. Álvarez since lost a unanimous decision against Dmitry Bivol and has won three unanimous decisions. Munguia is a tough fighter and it won’t be easy for Álvarez to drop him, but it will offer him a valuable lesson. I’m expecting the moneymaking machine Álvarez to win by unanimous decision.
— Jad El Reda, sports reporter, LA Times en Español
Eimantas Stanionis scores unanimous decision against Gabriel Maestre
A welterweight battle between former amateur rivals kicked off the pay-per-view portion of the card between 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis and 2012 and 2016 Venezuelan Olympian Gabriel Maestre.
Just like he did in the amateurs, Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) scored another win against Maestre (6-1-1, 5 KOs), this time via unanimous decision to retain his secondary 147-pound WBA title.
Judges scored the 12-round fight 117-111, 118-110, 119-109 in favor of Stanionis.
Stanionis came into the fight on a 25-month layoff but showed no signs of ring rust. Maestre was the busier fighter, throwing 802 punches and landing 205, but Staniosis was a more accurate puncher with harder shots, landing 316 of his 771.
The fight took place exclusively in the pocket as they stood toe-to-toe and traded a fair share of heavy leather at a high rate. The 29-year-old Stanionis landed the eye-catching shots by unleashing a hard right hand while consistently targeting the body of Maestre, 37.
Maestre and Staniosis previously fought in 2015 as amateurs, and Stanionis won the fight.
Experts predict the winner of Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
I was quick to settle for this after it became clear the David Benavidez fight wasn’t going to happen for Canelo Álvarez. The list of contenders who might give Álvarez some problems is pretty short, and you know Jaime Munguia is going to come to fight. I was very impressed with Munguia’s aggression and hand speed against John Ryder in January, and less than impressed ringside watching Álvarez take it steady to outscore Jermell Charlo last year. Álvarez has the ability to control the pace and the distance of the fight by seemingly not doing much, but that’s the sign of a seasoned, poised, and frankly brilliant fighter. I’m sure Munguia will come out firing, and his fury and intensity might catch Álvarez by surprise. With that in mind, I expect Munguia to have his moments, but Álvarez will ride through the early storm and put his foot down late. He might force a referee or corner intervention, but Álvarez also might take his foot off the gas and coast to the finish line via decision.
— Tris Dixon, editor in chief, Boxing Scene
Unlike Jermell Charlo, Munguia will actually try to beat Álvarez. He’ll be aggressive early and take advantage of another slow start by Álvarez. Eventually, however, the experienced, smarter Álvarez will wear down his younger opponent by battering his body, beat up the courageous challenger, and stop him in an entertaining matchup. Álvarez by ninth-round TKO.
— Keith Idec, reporter, Boxing News (UK)
I have a weird feeling that Munguia’s work rate will be enough to impress at least two judges, assuming of course he goes all 12 rounds. My hunch is we’ve already seen the best of Álvarez and that we will finally see the best of Munguia on Saturday night. Munguia by decision.
— Jake Donovan, senior writer, Ring Magazine
Munguia is an outstanding fighter who just doesn’t appear to match up well with Álvarez in style, experience, or motivation. If Munguia can use his height advantage, jab, and combinations to keep Álvarez on the outside, he has a chance to stay in the fight for all 12 rounds. But Munguia gets hit far too much for my comfort, and that’s a dangerous tendency when Álvarez is in the ring with you. Álvarez can still walk down nearly any opponent, as he proved against Charlo, and he still has hurting power. It just feels like Álvarez will want to make a statement Saturday, even against a fellow Mexican fighter. Canelo by mid-round TKO.
— Greg Beacham, sports writer, Associated Press
As a stream of unique distractions continues to highlight Álvarez’s fight week against Munguia, the question now becomes whether all of the hoopla will distract or fuel the undisputed super-middleweight champion, who is a 5-to-1 betting favorite and appears to be battling both former promoter Oscar De La Hoya and the court of public opinion (which believes he’s ducking David Benavidez) just as much or more than he is Munguia. That doesn’t mean that pinning Álvarez’s back to the wall will produce anything but the biggest and best performance that he’s still capable of at age 33. Álvarez appears to have all of the tools to break down and keep Munguia at bay due to his advantages in both experience and technique. The biggest question becomes whether Munguia, in his second bout with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, can use his size, motor, and straight-ahead style to corner Álvarez and make this much more of a fight than a boxing match. While this easily could end up being Álvarez’s most exciting fight, from the standpoint of two-way action, since his breakthrough 2018 win over Gennadiy Golovkin in their rematch, it doesn’t appear as if Munguia has enough skill to stop Alvarez or win more rounds than him. Álvarez by unanimous decision.
— Brian Campbell, CBS Sports Senior Insider, combat sports, co-host of “Morning Kombat”
Álvarez is right: Munguía is a worthy challenger, rife with power, pressure, and pace in addition to a youthful, unbeaten sheen the aging all-time great hasn’t yet faced. He has more than a puncher’s chance if his aggression stays measured and his chin stays solid. But for what Alvarez lacks in youth nowadays, he has in acumen, power, and pride: a combination the calculating counterpuncher deploys to extend his undisputed championship reign. Alvarez by ninth-round stoppage.
— Sam Gordon, sports reporter, San Francisco Chronicle
Álvarez may just have been sharpened for this defense of the undisputed super-middleweight crown by the tongue and venom of his erstwhile promoter Oscar De La Hoya. Munguia is a game challenger, heavy-boned, aggressive, and undefeated in 43 contests. But the son of a former heavyweight amateur boxer, Munguia has yet to face an opponent quite like Álvarez. Munguia has shown an aptitude for a war when under extreme pressure — notably in the latter stages of that magnificent contest with Sergiy Derevyanchenko 11 months ago, and that may well serve the 27-year-old well in this contest. Munguia will bring vim and vigor and if it is to be his moment, he could dethrone his great Mexican compatriot. Yet I see Álvarez as too wisened, too experienced not to steal rounds with his work rate early and late in the three-minute periods, and even out-counter his younger foe to claim a 61st triumph in his 65th contest, at the still relatively young age of 33. I simply see Munguia’s come-forward style being a great foil for Álvarez’s minor adjustments, all-around know-how, and power. Álvarez by a points win or late-stoppage win.
— Gareth A. Davies, boxing correspondent, The London Telegraph
Munguia, although highly skilled and a future super-middleweight champion, is not yet on the level that Álvarez has sustained for a long time. Álvarez may suffer early turbulence in the fight but can adjust as he sees fit and get a decision. Munguia is no Dmitry Bivol and doesn’t have that jab to keep his Mexican counterpart off for the duration of the fight. He will struggle down the stretch when it comes to experience and guile. I can’t see past an Álvarez decision on this one.
— Phil Jay, editor, World Boxing News
Don’t be surprised if this turns into the “Upset of the Year.” However, the chances are greater that we will see a “Fight of the Year” candidate. Munguia only knows how to make exciting fights. So does Álvarez. The champ’s talent and vast experience will carry him to an exciting, thrill-a-minute decision victory.
— Randy Gordon, SiriusXM Fight Nation host of “At the Fights”
Tale of the tape between Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
Saul “Canelo” Álvarez
Age: 33 (July 18, 1990)
Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Record: 60-2-2, 39 KOs
Nickname: Canelo
World championship fights: 21-2-1, 11 KOs
Championships: Super-welterweight (154 pounds), Middleweight (160 pounds), Super-middleweight (168 pounds), Light-heavyweight (175 pounds)
Total rounds fought: 484
Knockout Ratio: 65%
Height: 5 feet 8
Reach: 70½ inches
Weight: 166.8 pounds
Stance: Right-handed
Manager/trainer: Eddy Reynoso
Turned Professional: 2005
Notable wins: Jermell Charlo, John Ryder, Gennady Golovkin (two wins; one draw), Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders, Callum Smith, Sergey Kovalev, Daniel Jacobs, Rocky Fielding, Julio César Chávez Jr., Liam Smith, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara, Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Josesito López, Shane Mosley, Kermit Cintrón, Matthew Hatton.
Jaime Munguia
Age: 27 (October 6, 1996)
Hometown: Tijuana, Mexico
Record: 43-0, 34 KOs
Total rounds fought: 199
Knockout Ratio: 79%
Height: 6 feet
Reach: 72 inches
Weight: 167.4
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Freddie Roach
Turned Professional: 2013
Notable wins: John Ryder, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Gabriel Rosado, Liam Smith
Watch ‘Gloves Off’ docuseries previewing Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
The two-episode docuseries “Gloves Off” dives into the Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown between Mexican fighters Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia.
Watch: Exclusive interviews with Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
I sat down with Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia for one-on-one interviews ahead of their fight. Here’s what they had to say.
Note: My interviews took place before the back-and-forth beef between Álvarez and Oscar De La Hoya kicked into another gear Wednesday.
Fighting words from Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia
Outside of the fight within the fight between Canelo Álvarez and Oscar De La Hoya, the promotional buildup between Álvarez and Jaime Munguia has been a respectful one between the Mexican countrymen.
Here’s what they had to say during their media availability this week.
Canelo Álvarez
“This is going to be a great Mexican war. Munguia and I both come to win, but I am going to win and win decisively. The fans are really going to enjoy Saturday night and I’m proud to make history with two Mexican fighters fighting for all four belts.
“I feel better than ever and I’m ready for this fight. I don’t know how many rounds it’s going to go, but the Mexican fans are going to love this fight.
“I don’t care about experiences versus youth, I’m Canelo. I have everything I need to win and I know exactly what I need to do.
“I’m happy to have a big celebration on Saturday night. It’s for all the Mexican fans, no matter who they support. I’m very proud to make this fight happen.
“Munguia has power and he’s a good fighter. But I’m a strong fighter too and I’m gonna show everyone again on Saturday night.
“The fight will last as long as it lasts. One thing is for sure, you are not going to want to miss it.”
Oscar De La Hoya
“I would be remiss if I didn’t respond to the man I used to promote. He seems to have trouble remembering who helped him become a true global star. To be clear, I have nothing but respect for Canelo as a fighter. His record and ability speak for themselves. But he has spent much of the last two months insulting me rather than promoting this fight.
“I’ll make it a little bit easier for him. Yes, I have faced a lot of challenges in my life. Yes, I’ve been to rehab several times. Yes, there were some really low points in my life and, yes, there were times when work was not my priority based on my mental health, which I had neglected for so long. But that doesn’t change the fact that Golden Boy built Canelo Álvarez, period. The company he fought under for decades has always had one name, and it’s mine. So put some ... respect on it.
“As for Jaime, he has always dared to be great, just as this Saturday night. Remember when Jaime was 21 years old, volunteered to step in against [Gennadiy Golovkin] and Canelo failed two drug tests? Though Jaime wasn’t allowed to fulfill his dreams in 2018, on Saturday night he will do just that. Fulfill his dream and be a world champion.”
Jaime Munguia
“I’m so happy and excited that this fight is almost here. My team has been behind me the whole way and all the fans can expect a full-out Mexican war. Make sure to tune in, you will not be disappointed.
“Canelo has a great deal of experience and has faced great fighters. I may not have the same résumé, but I have youth on my side. I’m going to showcase my capabilities on Saturday night.
“We’ve worked on so much with Freddie Roach and had an amazing training camp. You’re going to see everything that we’ve learned on Saturday night.
“I’m glad that he wants to knock me out, because I come with the same mentality. I’m gonna knock him out. It’s gonna be a great fight.
“This is an amazing moment and I’m really excited to show everyone what I can do. Fighting on his undercard was one thing, but now I’m ready to step up to my moment.
“Outside the ring, Canelo has all my respect, but inside the ring, that respect goes out the window.”
Barrios, Figueroa, Stanionis to be featured on Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia undercard
The pay-per-view card headlined by Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia will begin at 5 p.m. PDT and will be complemented by three undercard fights.
In the co-main event, Mario Barrios (28-2, 18 KOs) will take on Fabian Maidana (22-2, 16 KOs) for the interim WBC welterweight title.
Preceding them will be former unified 122-pound champion Brandon Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) fighting Jessie Magdaleno (29-2, 18 KOs) for the interim WBC featherweight title.
Kicking off the card will be a contest between 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) and Gabriel Maestre (6-0-1, 5 KOs) for the WBA welterweight title.
The action kicks off on the Premier Boxing Champions YouTube channel with a pair of super-welterweight bouts starting at 3 p.m.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. (17-1, 12 KOs) will take on Ronald Cruz (19-3-1, 12 KOs) and Jesus Ramos Jr. (20-1, 16 KOs) will face Johan Gonzalez (34-2, 33 KOs).
Rivalry between Canelo Álvarez and Oscar De la Hoya adds needed spice to fight weekend
LAS VEGAS — Promoter Oscar De La Hoya threw the first punch at the pride of Canelo Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) after a cordial news conference with rival Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) in Beverly Hills .
“Yesterday’s press conference was boring, like Canelo’s fights,” De la Hoya posted on X a day after the March news conference.
Immediately after, in an interview with L.A. Times en Español, Álvarez responded by calling De La Hoya a promoter who only “says stupid things.”
On Wednesday in Las Vegas, the two had another intense round of insults, in an event that was anything but boring.
While the rivalry can be comical at times, full of Álvarez’s bilingual insults toward one of boxing’s most controversial characters, it is what this Cinco de Mayo weekend fight needed. Álvarez will face an undefeated former champion from Tijuana, Munguia, who says little and has only shown respect for his prizefighter opponent when discussing the super middleweight contest this Saturday (5 p.m., DAZN PPV, PPV.com) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia betting odds
Canelo Álvarez is listed as a -525 betting favorite, and Jaime Munguia is listed as a +380 betting underdog.
The over/under for the total number of rounds the fight is set to last is listed at 10.5.
A full breakdown of bets and methods of victory can be seen here, as offered by DraftKings.
How to watch the Canelo Álvarez vs. Jaime Munguia fight
The fight between Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia will be available via pay-per-view for $89.99 on Prime Video and DAZN (subscription required) or on PPV.com (no subscription required).
Ringwalks are expected to begin around 8 p.m. PDT. The pay-per-view portion of the fight card begins at 5.
If you’re in Las Vegas and want to attend the fight at T-Mobile Arena, tickets can be purchased through AXS.com, the event’s official ticket distribution service.
On Tap Sports has a directory featuring all of the bars and restaurants around the country that will be airing the event.
Fathom Events is also bringing the fight to select movie theaters around the country.