Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is going down in his illustrious career. This speculation is fueled by the fact that Alvarez, one of the world’s premier fighters, will turn 34 this summer, with a recent tally including one loss and three unanimous decision victories—some of which were less convincing than others. His reluctance to take on his most formidable adversary only adds to this narrative.
During an episode of ProBox TV's “Deep Waters,” Chris Algieri, analyst and former 140-pound world champion, noted that Alvarez's situation mirrors that of many boxing legends whose careers inevitably faced decline. “We constantly speak of “Father Time” and when it might overtake Canelo,” Algieri remarked. He highlighted the unpredictability of Alvarez's performance and suggested that an ascendant Munguia could potentially exploit this decline for a timely upset. However, the true outcome remains a mystery until the night of the fight. According to bookmakers, despite the doubts, Alvarez is a -550 favorite.
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Alvarez enjoys the freedom to choose his battles, thanks to his status as “The Face of Boxing.” While some fans and critics have voiced their dissatisfaction with his choice of Munguia over more deserving contenders like the undefeated former super middleweight champion David Benavidez, Alvarez strategically positions himself for future bouts. On the other hand, Munguia faces the most significant fight of his life, not just in terms of his career but also in potentially directing Alvarez’s future decisions in the ring. As Algieri puts it, “Munguia’s considerable height and recent improvements, including a potent right hand and a devastating left hook used against John Ryder, make him a live contender.”
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