In March 2024 Canelo Alvarez announced and confirmed that he would fight with Jamie Munguia. Canelo is a 33-year-old undisputed super middleweight champion. Overall he has won 61 fights and has only 2 losses, his knock-out ratio is 60%. Jamie Munguia was a super middleweight champion, however, Canelo did take that title away from him, He has won 43 fights and lost only 1. As you can see both fighters are very good at what they do which is what made this fight so entertaining.
Initially, Munguia seemed to have the upper hand. He was very fast and consistent with getting quick hits at Canelo. Especially in rounds 1 and 2. However, you could see that Canelo wasn´t fazed, and rather he seemed to be holding out on really delivering a powerful punch to Munugia. Munugia also delivered a really powerful right hook to Canelo´s side. Although very determined and strong, Munugia did seem to deteriorate in strength towards the middle to final rounds, Which proved to be very bad, considering that Canelo knew to save his strength till the very end.
His knowledge to hold out the the very end is very smart however, considering this is his 64th fight and only Munugia´s 43rd Canelo does have more experience which would cause him to over time learn that it is sometimes better to save your energy for the later rounds. Even Munugia said himself that this was the thing that Canelo was really smart about. According to an interview with PBC Penier Boxing Champions Munugia said ¨I came out strong and was winning the early rounds. I let my hands go, but he´s a fighter with a lot of experience.¨ (PBC) I also admire how Munugia identified where he went wrong, and in my opinion it makes him seem like an even more professional fighter. Canelo was also aware of his strengths in the fight. In an interview with PBC Penier Boxing Champions Canelo said ¨I took my time. I have a lot of experience. Munugia is a great fighter. He´s strong and smart. But I had 12 rounds to win the fight and I did.¨ (PBC) Later on in the interview Canelo says how he felt Munugia was strong, yet slow. Personally, I disagree with this, as a viewer he seemed to be fast. However, Canelo does say that he could see every punch coming his way which I have to believe him becaus to a professional like Canelo he probably viewed his strength and speed much differently than a regular viewer like myself.
One of my favorite or most entertaining parts of the fight was when Canelo delivered a really strong left upper hook to Munugia´s face and jaw during round 4. This was the turning point in the fight for me when I 100% knew Canelo would win. Although I do have to note how it is really impressive that Munugia got back up after being completely knocked backward and continued to fight. Although you could see he was fazed, and not as strong going on he wasn´t as weak as I expected him to be after that hit. I actually thought he wouldn´t get back up and
then Canelo would immediately win. However, I was very impressed with how he continued fighting, although not as good as he initially fought in the first 3 rounds but it was still relatively good. Especially considering the strength of Canelo´s punch. Canelo said he saw all the punches coming his way which I very much believe. Especially looking back and seeing how after the fight there was a significant difference in Canelo´s face and Munugia´s. Munugia´s face was very notably beaten well Canelo´s remained the same as when he started the match.
One thing I loved the most about the fight was how entertaining it was throughout all of the 12 rounds. I believe that this was because both fighters were really good in their own way, Overall you could tell that Canelo was better and stronger but you do have to say Munugia was also strong, and something that he had that Canelo seemed to lack was speed. One thing I did consider was that maybe Canelo didn´t feel the need to be fast with Munugia, and Munugia did feel the need to be fast with Canelo, however, his speed is definitely what let him have a real chance with Canelo. I say this because Canelo is extremely strong and experienced so it was sort of known from the start that he would win in the end.
In the end, Both Canelo Alverez and Jamie Mungia are talented and good fighters. I´m glad I watched this match, and hope to see another one as entertaining as this.
