LAS VEGAS.- After recent lackluster victories, the Mexican Saúl Canelo Álvarez wants to ratify his status as an emblem of world boxing on Saturday in Las Vegas (United States) against the undefeated Jaime Munguía, the first compatriot he has faced since 2017.
For years, Álvarez refused to measure himself against Mexican rivals, claiming that he was fighting to represent his country. At 33 years old, Canelo now breaks his norm by ensuring that MunguÃa earned the opportunity to challenge him for his four super middleweight belts (168 pounds – 76.2 kg) in this event framed in the Mexican festivities of May 5.
MunguÃa, 27, is a discreet boxer outside the ring, far from the excesses of other boxers, but with a size (ten centimeters taller than Canelo) and firepower that can put the fighter in trouble. experienced champion.
“Of course he has power. He is a good boxer, I like his style,” Álvarez acknowledged in the previous press conference.
Even so, the fighter from Guadalajara (west) was confident that his talent and experience will allow him to emerge victorious from a duel destined to enter the memory of Mexican boxing, where battles such as those between Erik Morales and Marco are remembered. Antonio Barrera at the beginning of the century.
“I don't know if (Munguía) is younger or older than me. But I'm Canelo and I don't care,” he stressed. “We are going to win decisively, that's what we're here for. Let everyone enjoy it and let it be a Mexican party.”
For Canelo, the event at the T-Mobile Arena (20,000 seats) will be the fourth defense of his super middleweight belts of the WBO (World Boxing Organization), WBA (World Association), WBC (World Council) and IBF ( International Federation).
Álvarez became the first undisputed champion of that division by knocking out the American Caleb Plant in 2021.
Misstep for Canelo:
A year later he sought new exploits by challenging the Russian Dmitry Bivol, middle heavyweight champion (175 pounds – 79.4kg), a challenge that ended in fiasco and cost him the second defeat of his career.
Since then, Canelo has had three victories by unanimous decision against his archrival Gennady Golovkin, who fought with 40 years old, John Ryder and Jermell Charlo.
The Mexican, who has eliminated 39 of his 60 victories by knockout, urgently needs to quickly put an end to Munguía's dreams, who can be filled with belts if he is able to beat his idol.
The fighter from Tijuana (northwest), who counts his 43 fights as victories (34 of them by knockout), downplays his lesser presence on the big stages and assures that his respect for Álvarez “ends above the ring.”
“I have not had experience with big names, but what I have and where I have reached I have earned it hard,” he stressed. “I like that he comes with the mentality of beating me and knocking me out, but I go with the same mentality.”
