Canelo Alvarez defeated Jaime Munguia by unanimous decision Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In front of a spirited crowd on ́lvarezdefeatsJaimeMunguíCinco de Mayo weekend, Canelo handed Munguia his first loss in the all-Mexican showdown and defended his unified super middleweight title.
Canelo scored the only knockdown in the 12-round fight, dropping Munguia in the fourth round.
“He’s strong, but he’s a little slow. I can see every punch," Alvarez said.
The judges scored it 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.
Alvarez elicited one last eruption during the in-ring interview after the fight that featured a boxer from Tijuana (Munguia) and a boxer from Guadalajara (Alvarez).
“(Everyone) is watching us, the Mexicans,’’ he said, as the crowd roared. “And I feel proud about representing Mexico.’’
Canelo landed 234 punches to 170 punches for Munguia, according to punch stats provided on the broadcast.
Munguia came on strong in the first three rounds, but Alvarez indicated that was not a concern.
“I take my time,’’ Alvarez said. “That’s why I have a lot of experience. Jaime Munguia, he’s a great fighter. He’s strong, he’s smart.
“But you know, I take my time. I have 12 rounds to win the fight. I did really good and I feel proud about it.”
“I came out well,’’ Munguia said. “I think at the beginning I was winning some of those rounds. It was going well. I let my hands go. But he’s a fighter with a lot of experience, obviously. Unfortunately, he beat me.’’
Alvarez said that experience is "why I'm the best."
Canelo, 33, improved to 61-2-2 and Munguia, 27, dropped to 43-1.
The crowd sounded displeased when Jim Gray asked Alvarez if he was willing to fight David Benavidez (28-0).
Benavidez is the boxer many hoped Alvarez would fight before he chose the less experienced Munguia.
First, Alvarez said, he needs to rest and spend time with his family.
“But if the money’s right, I can fight right now,’’ Alvarez said. “I don’t give an (expletive).”
He also noted that earlier in his career he had taken on the greats, such Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto.
“I fight all of them,’’ Alvarez said. “So right now I can ask for whatever I want and I can do whatever I want.’’
Round 1: Munguia stalking. Crowd chanting for Munguia. Now seeing his clear advantage in height and reach. Throws a jab, and another. A few more. Canelo throws a punch, but misses. More jabs from Munguia with boxers at center of the ring. Some chants for Canelo now. Canelo lands a couple of body punches. Munguia coming hard. Canelo digs in with left. Munguia 10, Canelo 9.
Round 2: Canelo and Munguia come out firing. But Munguia looks in charge. Munguia effective with the left jab. And Canelo answers with body shots. Jab, body. Jab, body. Munguia landing combinations. Canelo lands a big right. Munguia comes right back. Unafraid. More than willing to mix it up with Canelo. Munguia 19, Canelo 19.
Round 3: Munguia coming forward with the jab and looking for more. Double left hook lands. But back comes Canelo. Canelo counters with a big right, but Munguia is landing, too. Canelo coming forward. Munguia looks vulnerable when his defense gets loose. But he keeps throwing. A flurry from Munguia in the final seconds. Munguia 29, Canelo 28.
Round 4: Now at the center of the ring. Neither backing away. Munguia unloading punches in barrages. Not all landing, but impressive. Canelo lands a right, Munguia unhurt. Munguia stays aggressive and is eating a few punches as a result. Huge exchange. Canelo drops Munguia with a right uppercut late in the round! But Munguia on his feet and ready to go. Canelo 38, Munguia 37.
Round 5: Munguia the aggressor again. So much for that knockdown. Munguia going back to his jab and Canelo appears ready to unload big punches. Connects. A couple of times. Munguia looks a tad loose or wobbly. Not totally steady. Canelo lands a big left. Munguia starting to take a lot of punishment – but still throwing that jab. Canelo 48, Munguia 46.
Round 6: Canelo swings for the fences with a left hook. Misses. Canelo digging in now with his left hook. Lands to the body and head of Munguia, whose punches appear to have lost their snap. But there’s a combo from Munguia. Has Canelo backed up. Munguia working Canelo’s body, then eats two punches. Crowd chanting for Canelo. Canelo 58, Munguia 55.
Round 7: Canelo in control. Tags Munguia with a fistful of power. Oh, snaps back Munguia’s head. But Munguia is still in there, throwing punches even when they’re coming back at him. Now works Canelo into the corner, but back comes Canelo with fury. Munguia suddenly looking more comfortable again before Canelo lands a flurry. Canelo 68, Munguia 64.
Round 8: Munguia comes out firing jabs and backs up Canelo a bit. Throws a big left hook. Misses, but more accuracy could prove dangerous for Canelo. Here comes Munguia. Crowd chanting for Munguia. Canelo coming on strong now. Canelo 77, Munguia 74.
Round 9: Both fighters aggressive. Munguia throws the jab and a combo. Canelo deflects a lot of those punches. But Munguia coming back hard again, and Canelo fires back. Canelo complains about a low blow. It may have been the second time. Canelo unhappy. Munguia now on the offensive. Has Canelo on the ropes, but Canelo turns the table. Getting wild here in the ninth. Canelo 86, Munguia 84.
Round 10: Canelo throws punches with impressive power. Munguia working on a quarter tank of gas here? Nope, the punches keep coming – but not as powerful as Canelo’s. Nice right by Canelo, and back comes Munguia with a flurry. Canelo 96, Munguia 93.
Round 11: Munguia fires jabs, Canelo returns one of his own. Munguia swings wildly. He won’t go down with a whimper. They’re mixing it up again now. Canelo 106, Munguia 102.
Round 12: Munguia throwing everything he’s got. Back comes Canelo, who’s not playing it conservatively even though he’s clearly ahead on cards. The crowd cries, “Ca-ne-lo! Ca-ne-lo!” Their man looks in control. Canelo lands two huge rights. But Munguia still on his feet. A brutal combo from Canelo, but Munguia still on his feet as the final bell rings. Canelo 116, Munguia 111.
Apparently he did have time for Gervonta Davis. Canelo clearly looking loose as his fight with Munguia approaches.
Jim Gray reminded Canelo that the boxer told him he always felt butterflies before a fight. So how about now, Gray wondered during a prefight interview in Canelo’s locker room?
“No, I feel great, I feel better than ever,’’ Canelo said. “In my mind, in my body.’’
In 2010, Canelo signed with Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya’s company. At the time, Canelo was a 20-year-old prospect from Mexico and he ascended to stardom with Golden Boy.
But the relationship broke down in 2020 when Canelo sued Golden Boy for breach of contract. He was released from his contract that same year after the lawsuit was settled.
The bad blood boiled over on Wednesday when De La Hoya verbally broadsided Canelo at the final press conference for Canelo’s fight against Jaime Munguia. Canelo fired back in a heated exchange during which the two men appeared in danger of coming to blows.
De La Hoya also brought this up Wednesday.
In 2018, Canelo tested positive twice for Clenbuterol, a banned substance. He blamed failed drug tests on tainted Mexican beef and was suspended for six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The standard penalty for first-time violators was a one-year suspension, but Nevada’s commission gave Canelo a reduced penalty because he cooperated after testing positive.
The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET. Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguía are expected to be in the ring around 11 p.m. ET.
The PPV can be purchased for $89.99 from DAZN, Amazon Prime or PPV.com.
Brian Campbell, CBS: Whether or not Alvarez can finish the job with a spectacular finish likely depends upon how much punishment Munguia can take. Prediction: Alvarez by Unanimous Decision.
Ben Blackwell, Boxing Scene: I can envisage Canelo picking off an aggressive Munguia with counter shots before ultimately taking over proceedings and claiming victory. Prediction: Alvarez by Unanimous Decision.
John Hansen, Bad Left Hook: Today’s Canelo only seems to have six or seven rounds of gas in his tank, but I don’t think there’s much chance this fight goes past that point. Prediction: Canelo by KO, sixth round.
Jim Lampley, PPV.COM: While there are still some chinks in Jaime Munguia’s armor, he does have armor. So, an upset isn’t out of the question...just unlikely. Canelo by unanimous decision is most likely."
Leonard Ellerbee, promoter: “I fully expect this to be one of (Alvarez’s) easiest fights. It’ll be very, very entertaining. I think it will be a highlight reel knockout, anywhere from the opening bell to six rounds.’’
Anthony Tarver told Little Giant Boxing, “I think that fight is going to be interesting. Munguia reminds me of a young Canelo trying to make his mark on the go, you feel me?’’
Anthony Ruiz, told Little Giant Boxing, “You can’t underestimate Munguia. He’s a Mexican, he’s a warrior, he takes a lot of punishment. He can take a punch and he’s young, and he’s hungry too.’’
Timothy Bradley told Fight Hub TV, “Munguia ain’t knocking out no Canelo. Triple G (Gennadiy Golovkin) couldn’t even hurt Canelo. That dude’s got the best chin in the business, bruh.’’
Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: Canelo’s counterpunching will serve him well against the talented but defensively flawed Munguia. Prediction: Canelo by TKO, 8th round.
Mario Barrios finished the fight with a badly swollen right eye, but he still found his way to a one-sided triumph over Fabian Maidana.
He knocked down Maidana in the third round and stayed on the attack during a victory by unanimous decision in the 12-round welterweight bout.
All three judges scored it 116-112.
Barrios, who defended his WBC interim welterweight title, improved to 21-2. Maidana, who suffered the first knockdown of his career, fell to 28-3.
Round 1: Maidana comes out slugging. Now the bout settles into something more measured. Barrios stepping forward, but neither taking a great risk. But Barrios is throwing an effective jab. Barrios 10, Maidana 9.
Round 2: Barrios relying on that jab. Maidana has a decent one, too. Maidana digging in with a couple of left hooks to the body. Barrios stalking. Maidana lands impressive combinations at the end of the round. Barrios 19, Maidana 19.
Round 3: Down goes Maidana. Barrios drops him with a powerful right hand! He’s up, and the fight resumes. Barrios on the attack. Maidana looks remarkably composed after getting knocked down. Fight back even after getting hit again. Barrios 29, Maidana 27.
Round 4: Barrios stalking. Maidana dancing. Big exchange of punches. Maidana punishes Barrios with a combo, but Barrios still in control. Barrios 39, Maidana 36.
Round 5: Maidana retreating, and seems perfectly content to fire punches from that position. Yes, he got knocked down, but it's been a sound defensive effort. Barrios 48, Maidana 46.
Round 6: So far, Barrios is failing to capitalize on that knockdown and the momentum that came with it. Maidana has not shown great apprehension. Now Barrios digs in with a left – and is on the attack. But back comes Maidana. Barrios' right eye is swollen. Maidana clearly landing, too. Barrios 58, Maidana 55.
Round 7: Maidana throws a flurry with impressive speed. Back comes Barrios, but he can’t find a pathway to reach an elusive Maidana. Two jabs from Barrios snap back Maidana’s head. Barrios 68, Maidana 64.
Round 8: More of the same. Barrios stalks, Maidana dances. But Maidana is throwing a couple of lefts, waking up Barrios. An exchange of big right hands. Sweat flying. Barrios 77, Maidana 74.
Round 9: Barrios corners Maidana – and Maidana slips free again. But hard to imagine Maidana is scoring enough points while Barrios remains the aggressor. Barrios lands a few heavy punches, maybe finding his groove again. Barrios 87, Maidana 83.
Round 10: Barrios still aggressive and more effective. Maidana not showing much urgency despite clearly trailing on the scorecards. IMHO, that is. A jab clinic from Barrios. Barrios 97, Maidana 92.
Round 11: Maidana has shown the ability to counterpunch. But not often enough. Not now, as Barrios continues to press the action. Fans whistling – and not in appreciation. One knockdown apparently wasn’t enough for this crowd. Barrios 107, Maidana 101.
Round 12: Maidana backing up, despite clearly needing the knockout. Now lands two shots, snaps back Barrios' head. But Barrios absorbs it and soon after goes on the offensive. More whistling from the fans, who clearly want more from Maidana. Barrios 117, Maidana 110.
Canelo Alvarez cherishes his legacy as one of the greatest Mexican fighters ever. And one Mexican boxing authority says Alvarez still has work to do to win over all of his countrymen and potentially supplant Julio Cesar Chavez as the greatest Mexican boxer ever.
“The only thing Canelo is lacking is a dramatic fight where he’s knocked down and gets up and wins,’’ said Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the Mexican-based World Boxing Council. “Or he’s cut and bloodied and comes back and wins. Because that’s what gives drama and makes excitement that are memories for the lifetime.
“Canelo is such a great fighter, so crafted, so technical that he lacks the drama.’’
Alvarez grinned when asked about Sulaiman’s comments.
“I’m just happy doing my thing and I’m going to continue winning,’’ he said.
His trainer, Eddy Reynoso, did not grin.
“You have your haters and you have your people that support you,’’ Reynoso said. “In Mexico sometimes we have the reputation of sort of like a crab and we go backwards and we kind of stumble upon ourselves. So that’s just kind of our idiosyncrasy. But in the end Mexicans support Mexicans as well.’’
Brandon Figueroa knocked out Jessie Magdaleno with a body shot in the ninth round of their featherweight bout.
The knockout came with just one second left in the round, and Magdaleno made no effort to get up before the end of the 10-count.
Magdaleno confounded Figueroa for most of the fight. But in the ninth, Figueroa backed him up on the ropes and landed a flurry of punches before finishing off Magdaleno with a left hook to the body.
Figueroa, who defended his WBC interim featherweight championship, improved to 25-1-1. Magdaleno fell to 29-3.
Round 1: Figueroa expected to come out firing. Not yet. Fighters measuring each other. Maybe he’s not quite comfortable with his southpaw opponent. Magdaleno delivers nice body punches, but suffers a cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt. Magdaleno 10, Figueroa 9.
Round 2: The lanky Figueroa has gloves up high, accentuating his length. Magdaleno looks unfazed and digs in with body punches. Figueroa lands a solid left. And another. Magdaleno 19, Figueroa 19.
Round 3: Figueroa comes out more aggressively, but Magdaleno is the one landing punches. Lots of body punches with that left hand and Figueroa, known as a volume puncher, looks confounded. Magdaleno 29, Figueroa 28.
Round 4: Magdaleno still working the body while Figueroa tries to find an opening and his rhythm. Magdaleno warned for holding. Thanks, ref. Figueroa now has Magdaleno on the ropes, but he escapes and is happy to trade punches inside. Magdaleno, bleeding from the bridge of his nose, down on the canvas and appears to have been hit with a low blow. Magdaleno 39, Figueroa 37.
Round 5: Figueroa corners Magdaleno, who squirms free. But now Figueroa has him back on the ropes and looks more comfortable as he unloads punches. Magdaleno ties him up, and Figueroa is on the attack again. Back comes Magdaleno with an awkward but effective combo. Magdaleno 49, Figueroa 46.
Round 6: Not a pretty fight. But beautiful if you’re a fan of Magdaleno, who so far has offset Figueroa’s reach advantage with scrappy inside fighting. Figueroa now connecting – and with force. Magdaleno 58, Figueroa 56.
Round 7: Magdaleno on the ropes, and content to trade punches with Figueroa. Figueroa stalking, but Magdaleno keeping his opponent off balance with his awkward style. Magdaleno 67, Figueroa 66.
Round 8: A barrage of punches traded while boxers fight in close quarters. Figueroa getting more active, but Magdaleno lands a left hand to the body with power. Magdaleno 77, Figueroa 75.
Round 9: Magdaleno slick. Parries when there’s an opening. Figueroa still looks off balance. Figueroa could be landing more, but he’s the aggressor, and now tagging Magdaleno on the ropes. Figueroa now on fire. Down goes Magdaleno! Figueroa scores the KO with a body shot!
During a fight that featured almost non-stop action, Eimantas Stanionis outpunched Gabriel Maestre and defended his WBA welterweight championship with a victory by unanimous decision.
Stanionis, coming off a two-year layoff, looked sharp and well conditioned during the 12-round bout and remains undefeated at 16-0. He wielded a stinging jab and an assortment of combinations.
Maestre (6-2-1) fought gallantly, but the 37-year-old Venezuelan ultimately could not keep pace with the 29-year-old Lithuanian.
The judges scored it 117-111, 118-110 and 119-109 in favor of Stanionis.
Round 1: Stanionis and Maestre firing jabs early, and then come the heavier punches. No dancing around. Stanionis looking sharp despite a two-year layoff. Good exchanges, but Stanionis getting the best of them while unloading left hooks. Stanionis 10, Maestre 9.
Round 2: Maestre aggressive early. Stanionis responds with crisp jabs, and then an overhand right. Both trading heavy punches at the center of the ring. Stanionis landing heavier punches during another active round. Stanionis. 20, Maestre 18.
Round 3: More terrific exchanges. No attempt to conserve energy here. As good as Maestre looks, Stanionis is even more relentless and accurate. Stanionis 30, Maestre 27.
Round 4: Both fighters come out firing again. Stanionis landing stinging jabs, setting up bigger punches. Maestre may be tiring a bit as Stanionis moves forward. Stanionis 40, Maestre 36.
Round 5: Non-stop action, spurred by Stanionis. But Maestre not backing away. Stanionis has landed almost twice as many punches to this point, according to the broadcast team. Maestre sharpening up at end of round. Stanionis 49, Maestre 46.
Round 6: Fighters come out ridiculously active, punches galore being traded. But Stanionis is leaning in, looks like the stronger fighter at this point, landing crisp combinations and that powerful jab. Stanionis 59, Maestre 55.
Round 7: More of the same, the boxers delivering flurries of punches. But Stanionis still has a significant edge in punches landed. Showing his versatility with powerful combos and the jab. Stanionis 69, Maestre 64.
Round 8: What, you expected a lull? Here they go again. Maestre looks good, but just in the ring with the wrong fighter tonight. Stanionis always ready to respond after getting hit. Maestre might have done just enough to steal the round. Stanionis 78, Maestre 74.
Round 9: More inside fighting, body shots and overhands from Stanionis. Maestre putting together a nice stretch of combinations. Pace finally slowing. Inevitably, I think. Maestre finishes the round strong. Stanionis 87, Maestre 84.
Round 10: Maestre seems to be gaining momentum. Landing more than Stanionis. Maestre showing a little flash, too. Stanionis glares after the round ends following Maestre’s showboating. Stanionis 96, Maestre 94.
Round 11: Huge punches landing during more center-of-the-ring exchanges. Maestre now looking fresher, but Stanionis firing hard. Very hard. Stanionis 106, Maestre 103.
Round 12: Not sure where these fighters are drawing energy from, but they’re still firing punches in barrages. Stanionis stalking, nothing conservative here despite probably knowing he’s ahead on the scorecards. Stanionis 116, Maestre 112.
Jaime Munguia showed off his power during a 2023 workout session at Wild Card Boxing Gym – owned by his trainer, Freddie Roach – while sporting a T-shirt bearing the words, “We Don’t Play Boxing.’’
Freddie Roach, Munguia’s trainer, matter-of-factly dissed Canelo earlier this week in an interview with USA TODAY Sports.
“Canelo, I don’t think is that good,’’ said Roach, a Hall of Fame trainer who worked with the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. “His performances are not great and I don’t think he’s a great fighter. I think I have the better fighter. That’s why I took the fight.’’
Not sure how Canelo plans to arrive at T-Mobile Arena tonight, but he has sweet options considering he pulled up at the MGM Grand Tuesday for grand arrivals in a blue Bugati. Riding shotgun was Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. knocked down Ronald Cruz twice and won their 10-round super welterweight fight by unanimous decision.
Mielnicki, 21, dropped Cruz to the canvas in the third round and fourth round, when he suffered a cut over his left eye. Though he bled through much of the fight, it proved to be no impediment as he dominated his opponent.
The judges scored the fight 99-89, 98-90 and 96-92 in favor of Mielnicki, who improved to 18-1. Cruz, 32, fell to 19-4-1.
168 pounds
Canelo lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by majority decision on Sept. 14, 2013. Canelo also lost to Dmitry Bivol by unanimous decision May 7, 2022.
He is 60-2-2 with 39 knockouts. Canelo’s opponent, Jaime Munguia, has a record of 43-0 with 34 knockouts.
Canelo Alvarez is 33. His opponent, Jaime Munguia, is 27.
Canelo has his own promotion company, Canelo Promotions. He previously has been represented by Golden Boy Promotions, DAZN, Matchroom Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions.
“Canelo” means cinnamon in Spanish. The nickname is for Alvarez’s red hair and it was bestowed on him by his former trainer, Jose “Chepo” Reynoso, the father of Canelo’s current trainer, Eddy. At first, Canelo was “Canelito,” which means “little cinnamon.” But Canelito gave way to Canelo as he became a fierce-fighting man.
Forbes estimates Canelo is worth at least $275 million.
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