Bernard Hopkins Calls Canelo Alvarez ‘Lion of Yesterday’, Reveals Blueprint for Jaime Munguia To Beat Him

Can Jaime Munguia do the unthinkable? Can he come on top in a Mexican slugfest against Canelo Alvarez? These are the questions that have every boxing fan buzzing. If Bernard Hopkins is to be believed, the time has come for the king to vacate his “chair.”

Alvarez, 33, will defend his crown against his fellow compatriot, Munguia, 27, on May 4 in Las Vegas. While he is the favorite to bag the win because of his experience and IQ, the challenger brings a big heart and the strength of youth. Oscar De La Hoya and Hopkins are buzzing over the hot prospect in Munguia, whom they see as a champion of the future. But is he ready to step up? Hopkins certainly believes so.

Bernard Hopkins believes Canelo Alvarez is up for picking by a “younger lion”

Hopkins, 59, in a conversation with Fight Hype, pointed out the experience of the undisputed super middleweight champion that has tilted the fight in his favor. However, the boxer-turned-promoter believed Alvarez, at 60-2-2, had earned the titles and respect, but it was about time he gave way to the “younger lion,” Munguia.

“Canelo knows all the tricks. Canelo knows all the moves. He is a veteran. Canelo earned that. He earned that by fighting great fighters, leading up to where he is at now. But he is the lion of yesterday. But still sits in the chair today,” Hopkins said.

Read More: “No You Don’t Fight Mexicans”: Canelo Alvarez Reminded of Vow as He Picks Jaime Munguia Over David Benavidez for May 4

“[Canelo] is ready to be taken by the lion, the young lion now. So we are dealing with that, and as we get close, it’s going to get pretty interesting,” Hopkins added. While he suggested Munguia needed to have a solid defense, that was not enough. The challenger had to utilize every skill through the 12 rounds, and he needed to study the Mexican champion meticulously.

The key for Jaime Munguia to pick apart the champion

‘B-Hop’ explained that Munguia, at 43-0, couldn’t afford to approach and fight Alvarez the way he had fought other fighters. Hopkins advised Munguia to go through all the fights where Alvarez struggled and asked him to learn from those fights. He spelled out, “I say he first take a look at fights that Canelo struggled with, even in victory. He got to look at those fights where Canelo struggled with and learn from those lessons.”

It remains to be seen whether Munguia can replicate what Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol pulled off. The fans will also realize the extent of his skills and whether he can keep up with the champion in the squared circle and pull off an upset.

What do you make of these comments by Bernard Hopkins? Do you agree with his assessment of Jaime Munguia against Canelo Alvarez? Let us know in the comments below.

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