De la Hoya predicts “a changing of the guard” in the Canelo-Munguia fight

Mexican and worldwide boxing fans will be tuning in to watch one of the most interesting fights in the first half of the year. The Saul Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia fight is expected to be a close, hard-fought battle, which will take place next Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena, in Vegas.

Most experts and boxers believe the Guadalajara native’s experience and boxing skills will be too much of a problem for the younger and probably hungrier Munguia, who will be looking to make history and become the undisputed super middleweight champion. However, promoter Oscar de la Hoya believes the undefeated fighter from Tijuana will pull off the upset and become the king at 168 lbs.

“He’s a beast. Changing of the guard, baby. Changing of the guard. Let’s go”, De la Hoya said referring to Munguia.

Is he honest with his opinion? While it’s impossible to know, it’s no secret that the promoter and Canelo don’t like each other. Their issues started when Eddy Reynoso’s fighter was under Golden Boy Promotions and after he left De la Hoya’s company, their feud was made public.

“Canelo talking all this s*** – that’s all it is. The fact that he can’t be around me because the attention is off him – that’s a big thing for him and it f**** with his head. I don’t understand it because he’s a great fighter. I respect him as a fighter, but I don’t respect him as a person”, he added.

Ryder predicts a different outcome

If there’s any fighter who can offer an interesting prediction on the upcoming fight, that’s no other than John Ryder. The British fighter fought both Canelo and Munguia, losing both bouts.

The Gorilla retired from boxing after facing Munguia last January. The Brit was defeated by technical knockout in the ninth round after absorbing much damage from the Mexican. Before that, he stepped in the ring to take on Canelo at Akron Stadium, in Mexico. Against Canelo, he had a better performance, although he ended up being defeated on points. However, he put Alvarez in trouble in a competitive slugfest.

However, sometimes comparing fights and results isn’t very useful for an accurate prediction. And this is the case of Ryder, who believes that Canelo will get his hand raised when he takes on his fellow countryman.

“I think Canelo wins. I think it’ll be close. Munguia will get off to a good start – might even go three, or four rounds up, maybe. But I think Canelo will come on strong the second half of the fight and make it his own”, Ryder said.

“He’s too accurate and he’s got the lasting effect in his shots. He’ll grind Munguia down, and I don’t think he’ll stop him, but I think he’ll beat him on points”, he added.

Canelo’s only two losses were against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol, while Munguia has won all of his 43 professional fights.