Saul “Canelo” Álvarez’s upcoming fight against Jaime Munguía at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is not just about the boxing match. It’s a clash of egos, grudges, and broken relationships that have been brewing for years.
At 33 years old, Canelo’s career has been marred by controversy, especially after his bitter split from Golden Boy Promotions and former promoter, Óscar de la Hoya. The feud between Canelo and De la Hoya reached a boiling point during a recent press conference, where heated exchanges and insults were thrown back and forth.
The rift between Canelo and Golden Boy stemmed from a contract dispute in 2020, where Canelo accused the promotion company of not honoring their agreement. The Mexican boxer claimed that Golden Boy failed to secure additional lucrative fights outside of their contract, leading to a breakdown in trust and loyalty between the two parties.
Moreover, De la Hoya’s suggestion that Canelo should consider a new coach instead of Eddy Reynoso further added fuel to the fire. The tensions escalated to the point where Canelo severed ties with Golden Boy and became a free agent, leading to a messy legal battle and public fallout between the boxer and his former promoter.
As Canelo prepares to face Munguía in the ring, the focus has shifted from the actual fight to the drama surrounding his personal and professional relationships. While Munguía remains focused on his quest for glory, the chaos surrounding Canelo and Golden Boy threatens to overshadow the upcoming bout.
In the end, both Canelo and Golden Boy have their own versions of the story, each accusing the other of disloyalty and betrayal. However, one thing is clear – their once successful partnership has ended in acrimony and animosity. As Canelo and Munguía step into the ring on Saturday, the bitter history between the boxer and his former promoter will be pushed aside, if only for a moment, as they face off in what promises to be a thrilling and contentious showdown.