Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s traditional Cinco De Mayo fight weekend is just around the corner and the Mexican star has sent his countryman Jamie Munguia a defiant message in the final few days before they step into the ring together.
This is the fourth straight year that Alvarez has fought on Cinco de Mayo weekend and the second time at T-Mobile Arena, though Munguia is the first Mexican challenger he has faced.
‘Canelo’ will be defending all four of his undisputed super middleweight titles yet again when he steps into the ring against the young and hungry contender Munguia.
Both man share a common opponent in John Ryder, who they have both fought in the last year. ‘Canelo’ – who recently named what he thought was the perfect fighter – ended up going the full distance with the Brit and winning on points, while Munguia knocked Ryder down numerous times on his way to an impressive knockout victory.
Both Mexican fighters have also both fought another Brit in Liam Smith, who was stopped by both men in previous years. This is not the fight that many fans wanted to see – instead, there was clamour for ‘Canelo’ to fight David Benavidez.
After plenty of talk and lots of back and forth, he failed to lure ‘Canelo’ into the ring and instead is stepping up in weight to challenge for a light heavyweight title, though he has not ruled out coming back down in weight in future.
Alvarez spoke at the grand arrivals in a video captured by PBC in which he promised to knock out his opponent in under eight rounds.
“I am happy to be here, I’m looking forward to an outstanding week. This is a very significant and historic fight with two Mexicans fighting for all four belts for the first time.
“I’m looking to leave my mark and put my country up high. Muniguna deserves respect, it’s going to be a great fight, but I don’t care if he is younger, older, because in the end, Canelo is different.”
Then came his prediction.
“I think that I am going to win by knockout before the eighth round.”
There are just days to go until we find out.
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