Canelo Alvarez has confronted just one fellow Mexican over the previous decade, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He didn’t appear to be taken with combating his countrymen.
The undisputed 168-pound champion made the choice to tackle Jaime Munguia on pay-per-view this coming Could 4 however, it appears, solely by default.
Nonetheless, Alvarez appeared happy Tuesday at a Los Angeles information convention that he and his opponent might be presenting an all-Mexican important occasion at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
“This struggle is a superb supply of delight for me, as a result of it’s all about Mexico,” Alvarez mentioned. “I’m proud to have my nation featured this manner in entrance of the entire world. The followers are going to be the largest winners on Could 4, and we invite everybody to what’s gonna be an enormous social gathering for Mexico.”
Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) gave the impression to be set to struggle 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Nevertheless, they couldn’t conform to phrases in the long run.
And the champion doesn’t appear to be taken with dealing with high contender David Benavidez, at the least not but. That left Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) as his best choice.
Munguia, a former 154-pound beltholder, had constructed his document towards second-tier opponents till he outpointing Sergey Derevyanchenko in June of final 12 months and stopped John Ryder below new coach Freddie Roach this previous January.
These break-through victories led him to the top of 168-pound division and made him a reputable opponent for anybody, together with Alvarez.
Alvarez is coming off certainly one of his strongest performances over the previous few years, a one-sided determination over the smaller Jermell Charlo in September.
“Jaime Munguia is a respectful individual and an ideal fighter who’s earned this struggle time and again,” Alvarez mentioned. “Everybody will see how nice this struggle is for Mexico on Could 4. Munguia is a disciplined fighter who hits onerous. He’s an influence puncher, and I like a problem.
“I need to face fighters who’re hungry like I’m. He’s a fighter who can provide the followers the present they deserve.”
In the meantime, Munguia couldn’t be happier about being in the best place on the proper time to get the struggle.
Alvarez, 33, was his 27-year-old opponent’s function mannequin because the latter was making a reputation for himself. Now Munguia will do battle with arguably the largest star within the sport.
“Canelo has all the time been a supply of delight and motivation for me,” Munguia mentioned. “I used to say after I was arising within the sport that I need to be like him, and now we get an opportunity to face him and hopefully be the place he’s quickly.”
And he cautioned those that doubt him. He insists he’s ready for the largest problem of his life.
“We’re prepared for this stage,” he mentioned. “We’re prepared for every thing and we’re going to have an ideal struggle that evening. We’re very assured. That is only the start of the most effective a part of my profession.
“I’ve performed loads in my profession to date, however I imagine I’m simply reaching my peak now.”
