Lucas Jones
Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who spent years as boxing’s biggest star, returns to the ring on Saturday night to defend his four world championships against Jaime Munguia. It’s a great clash that could provide some interesting action as Munguia has been on a good run lately and is a strong, young opponent.
Admittedly, this wasn’t the best fight fans were demanding for Alvarez, especially when a fight with David Benavidez was available. But Alvarez has repeatedly made it clear that he has little interest in fighting Benavidez, who is undefeated and a two-time former super middleweight champion.
After some underwhelming performances against Dmitry Bivol, Gennady Golovkin in their third meeting and John Ryder, Alvarez bounced back with a strong showing against Jermell Charlo in September. Alvarez (60-2-2) continues to be a force in the division, even as rumors of a decline grow louder.
Munguia, meanwhile, is undefeated at 43-0, but hasn’t faced anywhere near the level of competition as Alvarez. Munguia scored a decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko in June 2023, before a TKO victory over Ryder in January to earn the opportunity to face his compatriot.
Things heated up during fight week when Golden Boy CEO and promoter Oscar De La Hoya used his platform during Wednesday’s press conference to criticize Alvarez and bring up his failed drug tests. Alvarez got up from his seat to go after De La Hoya and then criticized his former prosecutor for allegedly stealing money from him and not paying Gennadiy Golovkin in full for his trilogy.
The biggest fight of note is the return of Mario Barrios as he looks to defend his interim WBC welterweight title against Fabian Maidana. Barrios, 28, bounced back in style from the only two losses of his professional career in 2023, when he defeated Jovanie Santiago before trying Yordenis Ugas for the interim title. Barrios surprised many by defeating Ugas in the ring and almost submitting the former titleholder. Maidana, meanwhile, holds a 22-2 record against virtually unknown competition.
Additionally, rising champion Brandon Figueroa looks to continue his run as interim WBC featherweight champion when he faces Jessie Magdaleno. After suffering the only loss of his professional career in November 2021 to Stephen Fulton in what many considered a fight of the year candidate, Figueroa made his intentions to move up in weight clear. And he looked like a 126-pound fighter. He scored a TKO over Carlos Castro in July 2022 before claiming the interim WBC title against Mark Magsayo in March 2023. Magdaleno is a solid fighter but has struggled at the elite level and to stay active. He has fought just three times since 2020 and is coming off a decision loss to Raymond Ford in April 2023.
Opening the PPV festivities is the secondary welterweight title fight, when champion Eimantas Stanionis takes on Gabriel Maestre. Stanionis, the 29-year-old Lithuanian, is undefeated at 14-0, 1 NC. Saturday will be his first fight in two years after winning the WBA “regular” title against Radzhab Butaev via split decision. He faces a young challenger, Maestre, who has amassed an impressive amateur record representing his home country of Venezuela. He is 6-0-1 and has scored two TKO victories in 2023 over Travon Marshall and Devon Alexander.
Below is the full Alvarez vs. Munguia fight card along with the latest odds. Check back throughout the week for the latest news, features and other content about this great event.
Alvarez vs Munguia Fight Card, Odds
- Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (c) -500 vs. Jaime Munguia +400, undisputed super middleweight championship
- Mario Barrios (c) -1000 vs. Fabian Maidana +600, WBC Interim Welterweight Championship
- Brandon Figueroa (c) -1200 vs. Jessie Magdaleno +700, WBC interim featherweight championship
- Eimantas Stanionis (c) -1400 vs. Gabriel Maestre +700, WBA “regular” welterweight championship
Viewing information
- Date: may 4th
- Location: T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
- How to watch: DAZN PPV and PPV.com | Price: $89.99
Countdown
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