Saul “Canelo” Álvarez once again made his mark on Cinco de Mayo weekend with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Jaime Munguia, defending his super middleweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Although Álvarez entered the ring as the heavy favorite, Munguia quickly showed he wasn’t just there to be a stepping stone. He came out swinging in the first round, catching the attention of fans, analysts, and his opponent alike.
However, Munguia’s aggressive approach had its risks. It allowed him to make an impact early on, but it also exposed him to Álvarez’s counterattacks. This became painfully clear in the fourth round when a powerful punch from Canelo put Munguia on the canvas, marking a crucial turning point in the fight.
As the rounds progressed, Munguia’s energy levels began to drop, impacting his ability to keep up the high pace. His punches, once causing trouble for Álvarez, started to lose their effectiveness. Meanwhile, Canelo stayed composed, showcasing his ring intelligence, solid defense, and precise shot selection. He expertly blocked many of Munguia’s attacks with his high guard, while his own punches found their target with increasing regularity.
Despite the knockdown and mounting fatigue, Munguia refused to back down. He kept coming forward, sticking to his aggressive style, but it became clear that the tide had turned. Canelo was in full control, landing clean shots and dictating the flow of the fight.
Cinco de Mayo weekend has become a tradition for Álvarez, with the Mexican superstar frequently headlining major events on this date. He has previously achieved memorable wins over John Ryder, Billy Joe Saunders, and Daniel Jacobs. However, it’s also a date he might prefer to forget, having suffered a loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
This latest win reaffirmed Canelo’s position as one of boxing’s biggest draws. Looking ahead, there are intriguing possibilities for his next fight. A rematch with Bivol could be a blockbuster event, but Álvarez also has mandatory obligations within his current weight class. The WBA has named Edgar Berlanga as the next in line, but there’s significant buzz around a potential showdown with rising star David Benavidez.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Álvarez hinted that he’s open to fighting Benavidez. “We’ll see, why not? If the money is correct, why not? I can fight him Saturday night, too,” he remarked.
Whether it’s a rematch with Bivol, a clash with Berlanga, or a high-stakes bout with Benavidez, one thing is clear: Canelo Álvarez remains at the top of his game and continues to be the reigning king of super middleweight boxing.
