(Los Angeles) Boxing superstar, Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez warned Tuesday that he was boxing “to make history,” before defending his unified super-middleweight title against his compatriot Jaime Munguia on May 4 at Las Vegas (Nevada, United States).
“I box to make history, my whole career I wanted to make history, so it means a lot to continue to defend my unified belts,” Canelo explained during a press conference on Tuesday.
In a lounge of the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel, in front of a hundred people, Canelo and Munguia shared a respectful handshake, in a 100% Mexican atmosphere, to the sound of a mariachi group.
Saul Canelo Alvarez (60 wins including 39 before the limit, 2 draws, 2 losses), aged 33, will try on May 4 to defend for the fourth time his unified super-middleweight title, which he won in November 2021 by beating the American Caleb Plant.
Beaten in May 2022 by the Russian Dmitry Bivol in the top category, Canelo remains a clear success against the American Jermell Charlo in September 2023.
This fight “is a great source of pride, on such an important date for Mexico,” he said, black t-shirt pulled tight over his bulging muscles.
As for several years, the champion with the red beard chose to fight on the sidelines of “Cinco de Mayo” (May 5), an important Mexican holiday, also widely observed in the United States, which commemorates the victory of the Mexican army against the French army on May 5, 1862.
And the celebration that will surround the fight promises to be all the crazier as Canelo has gone back on his commitment to no longer face a compatriot by offering his chance to Jaime Munguia.
At 27 years old, Munguia, undefeated and N.1 WBC and WBO challenger in the category, already has 43 victories including 34 before the limit in as many fights. Trained by the American Freddie Roach, he remains on a victory by knockout against the Briton John Ryder in January.
“He is a disciplined boxer, who throws a lot of punches, who hits hard, I like that, I like this challenge, facing opponents who are hungry,” summed up Canelo.