Sizeable underdog Jaime Munguia will upset Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion on Saturday, promoter Eric Gomez has said.
Former WBO light middleweight titlist Munguai has won all 43 fights in his career but is yet to trade with an opponent as storied as Canelo, who is a four-weight champion.
“Canelo is still the king of boxing,” acknowledged Gomez, the president of Golden Boy Promotions, speaking to Boxing Scene. “Munguia’s going to leave it all in the ring.
“He is in tip-top shape. Look for the upset. We feel very strongly that he is going to upset Canelo.”
Read our other sports news stories here:
LeBron James taking things one game at a time as Lakers avoid Denver sweep
Doncic blames himself for Mavs defeat
Morris disappointed by Penix narrative
Mexican superstar Canelo’s two losses from his 64 fights have come against Floyd Mayweather, who went undefeated throughout his career, and light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
Compatriot Munguai could find cause for optimism in his ninth-round knockout of John Ryder in his most recent bout in January – a fighter who took Canelo the distance in May 2023.
“Munguai is a disciplined guy,” said Canelo. “He really hits hard. He can be a power puncher and I like challenges. I want to go after fighters who are like me, who are hungry like Munguai is.”
@Canelo embraces the cold before he brings the on May 4!#CaneloMunguia pic.twitter.com/XL8ZgIHo4T
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) April 11, 2024
Canelo v Munguia odds
Canelo and Munguai will meet at the 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the champion lost to Bivol for the WBA crown.
The 33-year-old has returned there twice since, beating Gennady Golovkin on points in September 2022 and Jermell Charlo by the same outcome in his most recent fight last September.
Bookmakers would evidently be as surprised as anyone if Gomez’s expectations prove true. They have generally priced Canelo at around 6/1 on to register his latest victory.
Munguai’s win over Ryder was his fourth knockout from his last five fights and the first of those stoppages to go beyond five rounds.
The 27-year-old fought on the undercard of Canelo’s second bout with Golovkin in 2018 and has also campaigned at middleweight and light middleweight.
