In a compelling upcoming boxing match, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will face Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas on the weekend of Cinco de Mayo. This match pits the increasingly dominant but youthful Munguia against the older, battle-tested Canelo, who has shown signs of decline. Boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi suggests that while Munguia has shown remarkable improvement, facing Canelo now might be premature.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, at 33 years old with 64 fights under his belt, faced a setback in May 2022 against Dmitrii Bivol. Observers noted a lack of aggression and dependence on judges’ scorecards which ultimately didn't favor him. Concerns are growing around his continued enthusiasm for boxing and lingering physical injuries which may affect performance.
Jaime Munguia, seven years younger than Canelo, is being trained by Freddie Roach and brings a fierce offensive style to the ring. His recent victory in January over John Ryder showcased an advanced fighting technique with impressive combination punches. Under Roach’s mentorship, he has refined skills such as creating new punching angles and effective side-stepping.
The fight dynamics are shaped heavily by contrasting strategies: Munguia is expected to maintain a high pace with tight punches under Roach's guidance. Canelo still possesses powerful punches and excellent timing but may find it challenging to contain Munguia's vigor.
Malignaggi emphasizes that if this fight had been scheduled a year later, it could have tipped in Munguia's favor given his trajectory of improvement. However, he predicts that despite potential close scoring, Canelo might prevail due to his greater experience and strategic depth.
