It appears that Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion, and WBO No. 1 ranked contender Jaime Munguia are close to finalizing a deal to fight on May 4th in Las Vegas.
The anticipated bout between Canelo and Munguia is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and might be aired on DAZN Pay-Per-View. This fight holds significance for Canelo as he seeks to demonstrate his ability to draw viewers on PPV, being that some of his previous matches have not generated as much interest as before.
Mungia: a Refreshing Option
According to Salvador Rodriguez, the negotiations for the Canelo vs. Munguia fight have entered their final stages. Fans are pleased that Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) has opted to face Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) instead of the replacement candidate, Edgar Berlanga. Selecting Berlanga could have been a disappointing decision for Alvarez, especially considering the risk of injury. The fight is scheduled to be broadcast on DAZN PPV.
David Benavidez was a fan favorite to fight on May 4th, but when asked if he would consider terminating his contract with PBC to square off against Canelo on DAZN, he declined, as reported by Boxing Voice. He has no plans to switch promotions to face Canelo, thus closing the door on that possibility.
Assessing the Choices
In terms of talent, Munguia ranks as Canelo’s third preferred opponent at 168 pounds, following Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. Benavidez intends to move up to 175, so a future matchup appears unlikely. It seems that Canelo will no longer consider Benavidez a super middleweight contender. Benavidez is solely interested in a match at 168 and isn’t keen on dropping weight to face older fighters like Demetrius Andrade. Munguia is the next popular option after Benavidez, although lacking Morrell’s level of skill.
Canelo’s willingness to take on Munguia suggests a confidence in his ability to win the fight. If Canelo had doubts about his chances, he would likely have dismissed Munguia, similar to Benavidez or Morrell.
Uncomfortable Reunion
It might be a peculiar sight to witness Canelo sharing the stage with his former promoter, Oscar De La Hoya from Golden Boy Promotions. While this might be awkward for Canelo, he may not have many alternatives. Rejecting Munguia would leave Benavidez and Berlanga as the remaining options.
He seems unlikely to face Morell or Benavidez, and DAZN may hesitate to fund a fight with Berlanga due to potential subscriber concerns.
