WBC Special Preview: Both Canelo and Munguia have something to prove

WBC Special Preview: Canelo vs Munguia

By James Blears

Saul Canelo Alvarez defends his Undisputed Super Middleweight Crown Jewels on May 4th at the T Mobile Arena, Las Vegas against undefeated Jaime Munguia, in an all Mexican Affair, celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Jaime has won the jackpot in securing the challenge, which guarantees a substantial career best purse. Now he must earn it! He got here by winning the vacant WBC Silver title in a slugfest against the teak tough Sergiy Derevyanchenko and then, the spectacular ninth round TKO of Islington Warrior John “Gorilla” Ryder.

The Derevyanchenko fight, which was grueling marathon, undeniably proved Jaime’s flinty spark of determination and resolve. He was in trouble several times, but rallied and fought his heart out. Going into the last round it was still very close. Touch and go. When the going gets tough…then the tough get going. So, Jaime dug deep and clobbered Sergiy with a crunching left to the body which put him down. It made all the difference, which was crucially reflected in the Judges’ scorecards of: 115-112, 114-113, 114-113.

Jaime had thrown a lot of punches, but sometimes he also threw caution to the wind and in so doing, he received some bunches of painful peaches. Time to bring in Hall of Fame genius Coach Freddie Roach, to polish off some of those still rough edges.

In the Ryder fight we saw an improved Jaime, diligently working behind his jab, avoiding the temptation of solely head hunting and not rushing in where Angels fear to tread. There was noticeably more rhyme and reason to his work, although he was still getting clipped with wincing counters from southpaw Ryder.

Jaime is a tall upright fighter, who doesn’t use anywhere enough head movement. He has to adapt and adopt a more elusive defense, because if his head remains sticking up like a weathervane, Canelo will break a storm over it. Jaime is still too easy to hit. Freddie must introduce more subtlety. Is there time to incorporate this?

Jaime is such an exciting fighter when he get the bit between his teeth and goes on to the attack. Against Ryder round two was barely a minute old when he dropped the taciturn Englishman with a jarring right. He repeated the dose in round four and wobbled Ryder in round five. The end came via two rights in round nine. Ryder somehow got up and was again put down by another right. Referee Wes Melton saved him at 1.25. A tremendous  performance of salvos from Jaime.

In his homecoming, Saul had broken John Ryder’s already big dipper nose in round two of their fight and dropped him in round five. But had not been able to accomplish what Jaime later achieved. Saul knocked down Jermell Charlo in round seven, but yet again had not been able to apply the finishing touches. His critics, some of whom are tinged by the bile of jealousy, are trumpeting that he can’t pull the trigger any more.  

In this upcoming fight against Jaime Munguia, we’re going to see if this notion is piffle, or indeed the case. That’s what Canelo has to prove!

When two Mexicans get into the ring, the whiff of gunpowder and cordite lace the air. When it’s on the Cinco de Mayo weekend…DOUBLE the significance and impact.

We have to go back to the Caleb Plant fight in 2021, to see Saul’s most recent stoppage win, which was in round eleven. He then lost to WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol, defeated an ageing GGG by UD and ticked off UD vics against Ryder and Charlo. Canelo needs to get back on the KO trail.

Saul is the obvious favorite. Aged 33, he’s accomplished so much and built himself into a superstar while never forgetting from whence and where he came. Chepo and Eddy Reynoso have been by his side guiding him all the way, since he was a freckled 13 year old. Loyalty genuinely means something to Saul!  Together he and Eddy have learned and developed together.  Their accomplishments are remarkable.

It takes two.

Saul is master of his own destiny, and it’s been glorious. He’s become a multi millionaire and has fought them all venturing from welterweight to light heavyweight. He even considered a tilt at the WBC cruiserweight title.

His pro debut was in 2005. His record is 60-2-2, 39 KO’s. He’s fought 484 rounds and his KO percentage is 65 percent. Jaime’s debut on the pro scene was 2013. His unblemished record is 43-0, 34 KO’s. He’s fought 199 rounds and his KO ratio is 79.07 percent.

Jaime looks very good coming forward, yet he’s nowhere near as good on the back foot, milling on retreat. Saul will be looking to lure the less sophisticated Jaime into traps via feints and then unload on him. A maesto rib bending body puncher, he’ll be looking to soften up Jaime with body punches before testing that famously iron chin. Jaime must use his height and reach advantage to keep Saul at bay before launching tempered two fisted attacks. If he wades in, he’ll find himself in very deep water.

Canelo has patience and guile plus greater experience which he’ll certainly utilize. Aged twenty seven, Jaime is six years younger. He possesses the advantage, if not fountain of youth. He must use it wisely, or he’ll age rapidly as the rounds flash by.

Not that long ago Zanfer Boss Fernando Beltran came to a Martes a Café to advise of discussions between the two camps which led to his fight being arranged. He said viz the business side of things, the ball was in Saul’s court. Since then, affable and personable Jaime hasn’t put a foot wrong in the PR sphere. He’s been polite and decent, but not contrite. He’s not overawed and he is determined to avail himself of the opportunity of a lifetime.

Fernando has said: “Jaime is entering the best stage of his career. He’s strong, he feels good and he hasn’t stopped training. There will be no excuses. All out… and we will win!

Few people think Jaime Munguia has much more than a puncher’s chance, but in Boxing one punch is sometimes all it takes. The famous quote from the film The Imitation Game, about Alan Turing and his team cracking the Inigma Code, encapsulates this, suggesting: “Sometimes it’s the people who no one imagines anything of, who do the things that no one imagines.”

It will be intriguing to gauge who the fans support and cheer for in this one. Canelo has said throughout his illustrious career: “I have to stay calm, cool and collected. The more desperate a person is…the more mistakes they make.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished, but… we’re going for more!”

 

Munguia’s Last 5 Rivals

Ryder: The WBC super middleweight Silver champion, Mexican Jaime Munguía, obtained a resounding victory, by knocking out the brave English fighter John “Gorila” Ryder in the ninth round, whom he sent to the canvas four times. The fight took place on the night of Saturday, January 27 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Derevyanchenko​​​​​​​: Jaime had to dig deep to win the WBC 168-pound silver belt in one of the most important victories of his career. In June 2023, after 12 intense rounds, he defeated the Ukrainian Sergyi Derevyanchenko, who demanded his maximum throughout the fight.

Coria: Jaime Munguía defeated Argentine Gonzalo Coria by KO in the third round in Guadalajara. The fight was scheduled at 160 pounds for 10 rounds.

Kelly: Munguía defeated Jimmy Kelly by technical knockout in the fifth round, who had not been beat since 2019. The fight was scheduled for 12 rounds at a 165 pounds catchweight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California

Ballard: Jaime Munguía finished in the third round with D’Mitrius Ballard in the main fight of the show in the Plaza Monumental in Tijuana, on a return home match. With this result, Munguía improved to 39-0 with 31 knockouts.

 

Canelo’s Last 5 Rivals

Charlo: On September 30, 2023 he defeated Jermell Charlo. Masterfully retaining the undisputed super middleweight championship

Ryder: Canelo faced John Ryder on May 6, 2023 in his long-awaited return home, defeating him via unanimous decision with scores of 120-107 and 2x 118-109.

GGG: Thirty-six rounds of dedication, courage, passion and glory. Three fights, a draw and two wins for Canelo. That rivalry ended when the bell rang on 09/17/2022 and the greatness of this sport was highlighted by demonstrating humility by melting into a hug full of respect and recognition for each other.

Bivol: In 2022, Canelo ventured again at 175 pounds to face the undefeated Bivol, in a close fight Canelo was defeated by unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

Plant: On May 6, 2021, Saúl Canelo Álvarez became the absolute super middleweight world champion, by knocking out Caleb Plant in 11 rounds and, with this, confirmed himself as the undisputed champion at 168 pounds.