Will Canelo Alvarez Fight Jaime Munguia on May 4? Oscar De La Hoya Answers

The date is set – 4th May. But, against whom will Mexican super middleweight, Canelo Alvarez, fight? Lately, there have been calls to get Alvarez to defend his undisputed status against the might of his Mexican counterpart, Jaime Munguia. However, now it seems like Alvarez’s 4th May opponent is not Munguia. Explaining the dynamics of it all, Munguia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya.

A lot of restructuring has happened in Canelo’s career since he defeated Jermell Charlo last year. After having completed just one of his three-fight deals with the PBC, he has now terminated his contract with them. Now, reports have suggested that he’s looking to team up with Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing, with whom he’s shared a good relationship in the past. Amidst all of this intense shake-up, one pertinent question remains. Is Munguia, the next name to fight Canelo? While ‘Golden Boy’ loves the idea of that fight on paper, he believes that right now, it’s just not what can happen. Why?

Canelo Alvarez holds all the Cards

The other day, ESPN Knockout reported that Alvarez’s fight against Jaime Munguia is in the works for May 4th in Las Vegas. These inklings had earlier picked momentum after 27-year-old Munguia defeated John Ryder in January. While no confirmation came from either side, most believed that given Canelo’s departure from the PBC and the collapse of his bout with the older Charlo brother, Munguia represents his next significant challenge.

Commenting on how hard it is to get a fight against Canelo rolling, his former promoter, ‘Golden Boy’, noted to Ariel Helwani, “Canelo holds all the cards here – that is the problem. Its a big problem. Everybody wants him on their platform, whether it is DAZN or whether it is Amazon, that PBC has.” De La Hoya added, “Somehow I have to get to Canelo. I don’t know how I am going to do it – but I am going to do it.”

The promoter also asserted that he does not see May 4th happening between his fighter and the Jalisco native, who held a stance to not fight any Mexican fighter on the Cinco de Mayo weekend. “No, no chance, no. I don’t think so.” (Why not?) I just don’t think so,” he revealed.

De La Hoya’s lack of positivity in the two fighters’ clash in May branches off on a pertinent fear that most promotion companies currently struggle with. It is this fear that has also led folks to wonder with whom Canelo will sign after his exit from the PBC.

A Risky Alliance

After Showtime Boxing saw its knell, PBC partnered with Amazon Prime to broadcast its fights, PPV. However, with a shakedown of this magnitude, the company could not afford to headline a fight between Canelo and his anticipated opponent, Jermall Charlo. Being the highest-paid boxer right now, for a company to sign him on that fee, they would also need to make that kind of money back. Meaning, those mammoth numbers need to be made on PPV.

Also Read: Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia Reports Makes Fans Question Mexican Icon’s Legacy: ”Ducknelo Duckvarez”

An easy task? Probably not. On the MMA Hour, De La Hoya observed, “He’s just left PBC, I don’t know if he’s talking to someone now. I mean who’s going to pay him that huge guarantee, right? Because, keep in mind Canelo wants huge guarantees and in order for somebody to give them that money, I mean you have to generate over a million homes on pay-per-view. And, that’s never a guarantee, right? You know, so it’s risky.”

Also Read: Canelo Alvarez Offered $55 Million to Fight David Benavidez

Therefore,`1 it is very uncertain that Canelo Alvarez will get a fight with Jaime Munguia on May 4th. Who do you think could win that fight? Take your picks in the comments section below.