It’s nonetheless Canelo Alvarez’s time.
The undisputed 168-pound champion dropped and defeated a decided, however overmatched Jaime Munguia by a unanimous determination to retain his title in an all-Mexican battle Saturday evening at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
The official scores have been 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Boxing Junkie additionally had it 117-110 for Alvarez, 9 rounds to a few.
“I take my time,” stated Alvarez, 33. “… I’ve lots of expertise. Jaime Munguia is a superb fighter, he’s sturdy, he’s good. I take my time. I’ve 12 rounds to win he struggle and I did.
“I did actually good, and I really feel proud about it.”
The second every part modified
@Canelo landed a devastating blow to knock @jaimemunguia15 to the canvas for the primary time ever.#CaneloMunguia pic.twitter.com/5DFOuOU9Be
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) Could 5, 2024
The struggle adopted a sample from the early rounds on. Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) threw extra punches than Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) however landed at a comparatively low proportion, a results of the champion’s excellent defensive skills.
In the meantime, Alvarez, who values accuracy over quantity, constantly landed the tougher, cleaner photographs. He appeared to select the challenger aside at instances.
Considered one of Alvarez’s clear photographs got here in Spherical 4, leading to essentially the most dramatic second of the struggle. He landed an ideal, head-snapping proper uppercut that put Munguia on the canvas for the primary time in his profession and had viewers questioning whether or not they have been about to see an early knockout.
Munguia wouldn’t enable that to be the start of the top, nonetheless. He continued to struggle his coronary heart out, staying busier than Alvarez and discovering the goal on many events.
The issue for the youthful fighter was that the sample continued till the ultimate bell, Munguia connecting on one in 4 punches whereas Alvarez landed virtually considered one of two. And the latter’s punches have been extra punishing.
Based on CompuBox, Alvarez landed 234 of 536 punches total, 43.7%. He linked on 49.7% of his energy photographs, a quantity that makes it extraordinarily tough for an opponent to win.
Munguia landed 177 of 663 punches, 25.6%, which isn’t disgraceful given the opponent however not excessive sufficient to win the struggle.
“He’s sturdy, however he’s a little bit gradual,” Alvarez stated of Munguia. “I can see each punch. Generally he received me as a result of I get so assured. However, , like I say .. I’ve this type of expertise. That’s why I’m the perfect.”
The most effective?
“I’m the perfect fighter proper now, for certain,” he stated.
Munguia won’t dispute that.
The 27-year-old from Tijuana was happy with his effort however he appeared to acknowledge that he didn’t do sufficient to have his hand raised.
“I believe in the beginning I used to be successful a few of these rounds,” he stated by way of a translator.” It was going properly. I let my palms go. However he’s a fighter with lots of expertise, clearly.
“Sadly he beat me. The loss hurts.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez knocks down Jaime Munguia of their tremendous middleweight championship title struggle at T-Cellular Area on Could 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)
What’s subsequent for Alvarez? The followers would counsel longtime 168-pound rival David Benavidez, who some consider the champion is avoiding.
Benavidez is scheduled to struggle Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175 kilos on the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin card on June 15 on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Nonetheless, he made it clear in an interview earlier than the struggle on Saturday that he’d be more than pleased to maneuver again right down to 168 to tackle the undisputed champion if issues go properly in opposition to Gvozdyk.
Alvarez stated it might occur if he’s paid sufficient. And, then once more, perhaps not.
“I don’t know proper now,” he stated. “I’m going to relaxation, I’m going to get pleasure from my household. … But when the cash is just not proper, I can struggle proper now. I don’t give a s—t.”
It’s solely a matter of cash?
“Yeah,” he stated. “… At this level all people is asking for every part, proper? After I fought with [Erislandy] Lara, [Austin] Trout, Miguel Angel Cotto, Mayweather, … Billy Joe Saunders. They stated I didn’t need to struggle them and I fought all of them.
“Proper now I can ask for no matter I would like, and I can do no matter I would like.”
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