Could this be Canelo Álvarez’s last fight?
The undisputed Super Middleweight king insists he is in his prime, but could he recover from a potential loss to Jaime Munguia, particularly by knockout?
Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán is a boxing phenomenon. His career, were it to end today, would stand as one of the greatest in boxing history. As one of the most sought-after fighters on the scene, the four most important belts in the Super Middleweight division, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF, means that he is in the crosshairs of nearly everyone on the planet.
On Saturday, May 4, one of the biggest punchers on the planet will get his chance to reach for Canelo’s crown as Jaime Munguía will square off with the face of boxing at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Canelo’s contract with PBC is for three fights, Munguia being the second. There is one fight left to run, and everyone is presuming that it will be in September.
But that is assuming that Canelo wins this bout, and unscathed at that. Canelo has not publicly contemplated retirement, in fact the reverse. In an interview with Hugo Sánchez, Canelo intimated that he plans to hang up his gloves when he turns 37.
“From 28-29 years old, this age is where I have felt the best. I have always said that 37 is a good age to enjoy what I have done with my family,” said Canelo. But with that twinkle that he is known for, Álvarez went on to leave the door at least slightly ajar, saying, “However, I also said that I would debut at 18 and I did it at 15.”
The fight with Munguia is a brutal affair in the offing. This is Canelo’s first fight since a comprehensive dismantling of Jermell Charlo last September. But Charlo was stepping up in weight, meeting Canelo on the Mexican’s preferred turf, almost fifteen pounds heavier than he had ever fought before.
The difference here is that Munguia is the naturally bigger man. He has fought and defeated both John Ryder and Sergiy Derevyanchenko at super middle before. Add to that Jaime Munguia’s dazzling 79% knockout rate and this test could mean that Canelo takes a pounding. Even if he wins, it is almost certain that Canelo will be hit more often by harder shots than he ever has been. But if he loses, the entire landscape changes.
Coming back from a loss is a mentally difficult thing to do. There is no doubt that Canelo can do it. After all, he has done it before. But a heavy-tolled fight and especially a knockout loss can live in a fighter’s head for years to come.
This bout with Munguia is more than just a title defense for Canelo Álvarez. This is perhaps the defining moment of his legacy. Of what stuff is Canelo made? That question will not be answered on Saturday in the ring, but on Sunday once the lights have gone out and the cheers have faded. Then, and only then, will Canelo Álvarez know just how much is left in the tank.