Limited buzz – Canelo Alvarez fights Jamie Munguia

Canelo Álvarez fights on Cinco De Mayo for the fourth consecutive year this Saturday as he takes on Jaime Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Munguia is undefeated in 43 fights, scoring 34 knockouts.

Impressive, right?

Not to most boxing fans. The buzz, if you call it that, has been lacking.

Hardly even a hum.

Alvarez heard the criticism. He spoke highly of his opponent’s accomplishments during a recent press conference.

“Munguia is a disciplined guy,” Alvarez said. “He hits hard. He can be a power puncher, and I like the challenges. I want to go after hungry [fighters] like Munguia who want to give their all inside the ring and give the fans the show that they deserve.”

The comments didn’t help.

Why? Boxing fans want Alvarez to fight David Benavidez.

Boxing has always been about fighting the best or, if you’re champion, the highest-ranking contender. Benavidez checks all the boxes, but it takes two to tango, and Alvarez doesn’t appear interested in a dance.

This kind of behavior is why Alvarez is such a polarizing figure. He’s calculating. He waited for Gennadiy Golovkin to age just enough to fight him. His last two fights were against a tough but limited English fighter, and champion two divisions below him.

Alvarez feels he’s earned the right to fight who he wants. And granted, his career, even with its lapses, is Hall of Fame worthy. The man can fight.

Alvarez has captured titles in four different weight divisions, unifying three.

Munguia is excited and looking forward to throwing hands with Alvarez.

“Let’s see what happens,” said Munguía last week.”A A lot of things can happen inside the ring. It’s going to be a great fight.We’ve been working on little things. Some Canelo-specific, some more general. We’ve been in the kitchen working on a lot of things.”

Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew feels Munguia could cause Alvarez some problems.

“It’s exciting, Munguia throws a lot of punches, is very busy, he’s been super active,” Bellew said on The DAZN Boxing Show. “I think this is a hard fight for Canelo. I think Munguia will really put it on him, give him a few smacks around the ears.”

Munguia likes to throw punches in bunches. It’s conceivable he could bank a few rounds before Canelo gets going.

Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) has never been remotely close to being stopped in his 18-year career. Munguia likes his chances.

“A knockout win would be a radical change in my life,” said Munguia.

Munguia is bigger, but Alvarez is slicker and defensively more responsible.

Several boxing insiders feel Alvarez is slipping. They point to his fight against John Ryder, where Alvarez struggled. He looked reasonably spry against lighter Jermell Charlo last September.

Munguia battered and stopped Ryder earlier this year.

The oddsmakers have listed Alvarez as a 6-1 favorite.

Golden Boy President Eric Gomez disagrees.

“He is in tip-top shape,” Gomez told BoxingScene.com “Look for the upset.We feel very strongly that he is going to upset Canelo.”

What else is he going to say? Munguia is his guy.

Alvarez winning by decision seems more likely.