‘Canelo’ Álvarez won and said that he will only return to the ring “if the purse is right”

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Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez overcame a fierce challenger based on his experience, strength and efficiency, to retain his undisputed super middleweight title, by defeating Jaime Munguía, who suffered his first setback, on Saturday by unanimous decision.

“When I retire, my numbers will tell where I stand,” said Álvarez, 33. “I know there have been many great Mexican boxers in the past, but I am the best of those fighting now.”

Judge Tim Cheatham ruled 117-110, while David Sutherland gave a score of 116-111 and Steve Weisfeld also saw “Canelo” as the winner, 115-112.

Álvarez (61-2-2), who came into the fight with predictions of minus 380 according to the BetMGM betting house, started a little slowly but gradually dominated Munguía (43-1) to win this duel between Mexican boxers before 17,492 spectators. .

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Boxing. Among millions and stars, the Mexican who paralyzes the world every time he gets into the ring

Daniel Guiñazú, special from Buenos Aires

The monarch took control of the fight after knocking down Munguía in the fourth round.

It was the second time that Álvarez has left no doubt who was the best in the ring. And he made it clear that he remains one of the best in history.

In September, he also dominated Jermell Charlo, to win even more clearly in the decision.

These two contests followed two wins and one loss in which Álvarez left doubts. He hasn’t gotten a knockout since 2021, when he defeated Caleb Plant — a stretch of five fights.

Álvarez was not willing to reveal what his next step will be. He commented that he will return to the ring “if the purse is right.”

“I have beaten everyone and I can do whatever I want,” he stressed.

In the run-up to the fight, the two fighters showed each other unusual courtesy. Both said they were proud to represent their country on the weekend that celebrated May 5, the most important holiday for Mexicans residing in the United States.

During the week, “Canelo” instead expressed the most hurtful comments for Óscar de la Hoya, the former boxer and current promoter of Munguía.

De la Hoya previously collaborated with Álvarez, but it is evident that the relationship is broken. The fighter from Guadalajara launched a barrage of insults at him and was about to fight him on Wednesday, during the press conference.

A second earlier, De la Hoya had accused Álvarez of doping.

Munguía was the most aggressive opponent during the first three rounds. In the third he even cornered Álvarez against the ropes.

But “Canelo” showed in the next round that this would not be the night he would abdicate his crowns. He used a left and right combination against Munguía’s face to send him to the canvas with 38 seconds remaining.

The next four episodes brought more punishment for Munguía, mainly to the face. The challenger from Tijuana tried to respond with his own combinations, without causing much damage to his rival.

But in the ninth, Munguía did land some blows to the face that made “Canelo” retreat, even towards the corner.

Álvarez responded with his own combinations, coming out from that corner, in the most dynamic chapter of the fight.

The tenth and eleventh rounds were even, but the same tendency and the stronger blows led Álvarez to an irrecoverable advantage on the scorecards.

In the last round, Álvarez seemed aware of his advantage, and Munguía no longer had the strength to seek a knockout.

In one of the preliminary bouts in Las Vegas, Mario Barrios (29-2) successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) interim welterweight title. The Texan defeated the Argentine Fabián Maidana (22-3) by unanimous decision.