In what has become a yearly ritual Canelo Alvarez fought on Cinco De Mayo weekend in Las Vegas. This year’s opponent was unbeaten and fellow Mexican fighter, Jaime Munguia, making it an all Mexican affair. What differed from this year’s festivities, were, rightly or wrongly, whispers abound about Canelo’s age. Specifically, if his long career has finally caught up with him to the point where Munguia could make a stand. On Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo more than quieted his critics.
The action began with Munguia ably asserting himself. Landing effective combinations, imposing his size, never moving backwards and even snapping Canelo’s head back as round 3 ended. After three rounds the momentum was clearly on Munguia’s side. It proved to be short-lived.
Perhaps sensing the momentum shift, or simply showing the patience that only experience can provide. In the fourth round Canelo came out and delivered the highlight of the fight with a left hook-uppercut that put Munguia on the floor for the first time in his career. “I took my time,” Canelo told the press. “I have a lot of experience. Munguia is a great fighter. He’s strong and smart. But I have 12 rounds to win the fight and I did.”
That momentum would never shift back to Munguia, Canelo rode that round four knockdown through the rest of the fight, landing a higher volume of punches and more importantly blows that were cleaner, heavier, and seemed to move Munguia every time they landed. Munguia did appear to make a last stand in round nine, winning it on all the judges scorecards, but Canelo would sweep the final three rounds on the way to a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.
After the fight Canelo told the press, “This win means a lot, I’m glad that I gave him this opportunity. Munguia is a great guy and a great champion. He’s gonna have a great career. I’m very proud that the whole world is watching us Mexicans.”
As for what is next. Many have been clamoring for Canelo to fight fellow Mexican fighter David Benavidez. Like Munguia, Benavidez is younger, bigger, but carries just as heavy a punch as Canelo. Benavidez was ringside for the festivities and welcomes the chance.
Perhaps Cinco De Mayo 2025?
Stay tuned, until then check out the highlights of Canelo vs. Munguia here.
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