Despite strong rumours that Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez would be fighting Jermall Charlo next, the exact details about his next opponent seem to be up in the air with something of an ultimatum having been given by his promoter PBC.
Earlier in February it was leaked that Canelo would be making a big announcement about who he would be facing on his traditional Cinco De Mayo fight date in Spring.
The opponent was said to have been settled as Jermall Charlo, the brother of Jermell Charlo, who Alvarez handily dispatched last time out when he defended his undisputed super middleweight titles with relative ease.
However, that seems to not be the case. A post on X explains the situation that was originally posted in an article on ESPN in Spanish.
“Al Haymon’s PBC are reportedly ready to pay Canelo Alvarez his guaranteed purse said to be “around $35million” for a fight vs Jaime Munguia on May 4th, but not if he insists on Jermall Charlo. It’s claimed PBC believe fight vs Munguia would sell better. [According to @ESPNmx]”
This means Canelo will have to choose between fighting Charlo, or taking on young and hungry Mexican Jaime Munguia who is fresh off the back of an impressive stoppage win over John Ryder, who Canelo himself failed to stop and instead beat over 12 rounds last year.
The all-Mexican showdown sure would be more appealing to Mexican fans as well as the wider boxing public. It is now up to Canelo to decide on his next move with the WBC also laying out their plans for him to fight David Benavidez.