Boxing fans in San Diego and Tijuana had a greater rooting interest than usual in the traditional Cinco de Mayo event Las Vegas on Saturday.
In a matchup between two fighters representing the border cities, undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, a longtime resident of San Diego who hails from Guadalajara, turned back a spirited challenge from Jaime Munguia of Tijuana.
Álvarez now has a record of 61-2-2 with 39 knockouts. Munguia, by suffering his first loss, fell to 43-1 with 39 knockouts.
A veteran at age 33 in his 65th professional fight, Álvarez calls Cinco De Mayo his “favorite day.” From the mariachi version of the American national anthem, the atmosphere provided by the 14,792 fans at the T-Mobile Arena celebrated everything good about Mexican-style boxing.
“This win means a lot. I’m glad that I gave him this opportunity,” said Álvarez after his victory. “Munguia is a great guy and a great champion. He’s going to have a great career. I’m very proud that all the Mexicans are here watching us.
“I know there’s a lot of great Mexican fighters in the past, but I’m the best fighting right now,” he added.
Few would disagree after the champion’s performance against a determined but ultimately outgunned Munguia, who conceded the point.
“I came out strong and was winning the early rounds. I let my hands go, but he’s a fighter with a lot of experience. The loss hurts because it’s my first loss and I felt strong,” said Munguia.
“There’s no doubt I would have beaten anyone else tonight … I started well, but he’s a fighter who creates a lot of problems.”
Munguia won several of the early rounds, but Álvarez knows how to pace his effort, and he agreed with his opponent on the main reason why – “I have a lot of experience.”
“Munguia is a great fighter. He’s strong and smart. But I have 12 rounds to win the fight and I did. I did really good and I’m proud of it,” said Álvarez. “He’s strong, but he’s a little slow. I could see every punch. That’s why I’m the best.”
The dramatic turning point in the fight came in the fourth round. Munguia caught Álvarez with a hard right hook, and in his eagerness to capitalize, started to unload. But he made a mistake, leaving an opening for a counterpunch.
Álvarez landed a perfect right uppercut on Munguia, who tumbled down hard to the canvas. Munguia said he was more surprised than harmed by the punch. “I was not hurt. It was a good punch, that’s it.”
But Munguia added the punch not only threw him to the canvas, it also threw off his game plan.
“I got desperate to try to recover that knockdown, and I start changing my game. With his experience, it got me into his game with his counterpunching,” admitted Munguia.
Álvarez won the middle rounds by keeping Munguia off him with body shots in combination with hard hooks. Through the rest of the fight, Munguia was forced to play catchup and never could.
Munguia’s promoter, the Hall of Fame fighter Oscar De La Hoya, had nothing but compliments for both fighters.
“This experience will take Jaime to another level. He gains experience and becomes a better fighter. This is just the beginning for Jaime,” De La Hoya said.
A key member of the Álvarez team is Carlos Barragan Jr., who owns the House of Boxing in San Diego. Barragan worked in the corner supporting him during Saturday’s fight.
Álvarez thanked all the members of his team for contributing to his victory. “I feel great with all my team. I feel very proud of them. I feel proud about this win.”