Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia: Preview, verdict and suggested bets

Canelo returns to the ring this weekend as he fights on Cinco de Mayo weekend for the fourth year in a row.

The 64-fight boxing megastar enhanced his reputation as a pound-for-pound great en route to suffering just the second loss of his professional career against WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight in May 2022.

This proved to be a challenge too far for Canelo, who had been receiving praise for gleefully accepting challenges in various weight classes.

Since his loss to Bivol, Canelo has bounced back with unanimous decision victories against Gennady Golovkin, John Ryder and Jermell Charlo. 

The buzz around Canelo has subsided somewhat over the past two years as he seemed to be taking easier fights.

On paper, Golovkin was his toughest opponent of the three, but this trilogy came a few years too late as ‘GGG’ was well past his best by the time this bout came around in September 2022.

For years, fans have been calling for Canelo to fight unbeaten David Benavidez in a bout tipped to be a changing of the guard with the performances of the current undisputed super middleweight champion suggesting he is gradually on the decline.

 

 

With Canelo ignoring Benavidez, he has turned his attention to Munguia. This is not as good a fight as the one most fans are demanding, but it is still going to be his toughest test since facing Bivol.

Munguia’s professional record looks sensational on paper as he is unbeaten in 43 fights and 34 of his victories have come via TKO/KO. But his résumé is somewhat padded.

Before January, arguably his only statement victory came on points against Brit Liam Smith in 2018.

But earlier this year, he produced a career-best performance to stop John Ryder inside nine rounds. The same opponent went the distance with Canelo last year.

However, even after this impressive win and coming up against a decelerating Canelo, Munguia is up against it this weekend and this fight is comfortably the toughest of his career so far.

It is at least good for fans that Munguia’s front-foot style should make this bout an entertaining watch for as long as it lasts.

Both men punch very hard at this weight class but Canelo should be able to use his experience to catch a naive Munguia coming in to record a viral knockdown and/or knockout.

Given how active Munguia is in fights, Canelo’s work rate will need to be higher than recent bouts if he’s to maintain control of the contest.

Yet given how one-sided some judges have been in his favour when he’s fought in Las Vegas, a landslide points Canelo victory is the most likely outcome if he does not manage to land a clean bomb on Munguia’s chin.

 

Suggested bets

Saul Alvarez Rounds 7-9 - 13/2

Saul Alvarez to win on points - 4/5

*odds correct at time of article publication

 

Date, start time, venue and how to watch

This event will take place on Saturday, May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

The main card is scheduled to get underway at 8:00 pm ET in the United States and 01:00 AM in the United Kingdom, while Canelo vs Munguia is expected at 11:00 pm ET and at 04:00am (Sunday morning) in the UK. 

Canelo vs Munguia is being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view in the United Kingdom, United States and across the world.

The fight is priced at £19.99 in the UK and $89.99 in the USA.

 

Canelo vs Munguia undercard

Mario Barrios (c) vs Fabian Maidana (WBC interim world welterweight title)

Brandon Figueroa (c) vs Jessie Magdaleno (WBC interim world featherweight title)

Eimantas Stanionis (c) vs Gabriel Maestre (WBA regular welterweight title)