Fans and fighters from across the combat sports world are reacting to Canelo Alvarez’s dominant decision win over Jaime Munguia.
Whilst the pre-fight headlines might need been dominated by the continued feud with Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez continued to jot down his own legacy as he dispatched Jaime Munguia in impressive fashion from Las Vegas.
Canelo Alvarez earns unanimous decision win over Munguia
Canelo Alvarez proved once more why he stays the face of boxing as he added yet one more convincing title defense to his dominant profession, earning a unanimous decision victory over Jaime Munguia last night on the T-Mobile Arena.
Whilst the challenger did have some early success because of a flurry of punches getting across the guard of Canelo within the opening rounds, the momentum of the fight definitely shifted after Munguia was dropped within the fourth – and from that time, the remainder was history.
Speaking after the 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112 unanimous decision victory, Canelo praised the grit and determination of his opponent:
“This win means lots, I’m glad that I gave him this chance…Munguia is a fantastic guy and a fantastic champion. He’s going to have a fantastic profession. I’m very proud that each one the Mexicans are here watching us.”
UFC fighters and skilled boxers react to Canelo’s statement win
Whilst the main focus of the MMA fanbase was firmly fixed on Rio de Janeiro and UFC 301, that isn’t to say that fighters from the world over of combat sports weren’t watching with bated breath as Canelo first dropped, then out-pointed Munguia in Las Vegas.
Former light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight king Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, from one combat superstar to a different, hailed Canelo:
“Good for him, what a legend,” adding, “I all the time find it hilarious when he starts cursing people out in English.”
Boxing superstar turned MMA athlete Claressa Shields stated that “Munguia fought harder than most of Canelo’s opponents” before adding, “Good scrap…However the king still reigns!”
Fan favorite UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney also noted that “Munguai got here to fight holy s***” and as Canelo began to stretch his lead into the latter stages of the competition:
“This Canelo vs Munguia is delivering could be fight of the 12 months for boxing.”
Combat sports legend Teddy Atlas shared, “Even when Munguia was capable of win, is there anyone who thinks he’d get the choice on this business.”
Elsewhere, Jake Paul posted a response video where he was asked about potentially facing Canelo within the boxing ring:
“Yeah, well he’s got to return and consult with us, I’m going to get the cruiserweight belt after which Canelo can come and see me.”
Canelo responds to speculation that David Benavidez can be next
Unsurprisingly, a lot of the post-fight discussion around what must be next for Canelo has been centered around a highly anticipated clash with David Benavidez.
“I don’t know immediately, I’m going to rest, I’m going to enjoy my family. But you understand, if the cash is true, I can fight immediately. I don’t give a s***,” said Alvarez.
“At this point, everybody’s asking for all the things, right? Once I fought Lara, Charlo, Miguel Angel Cotto, Mayweather, Billie Joe Saunders, everybody say I don’t need to fight them. And I fought all of them. So immediately, I can ask whatever I need and I can do whatever I need.”
Speaking with MMA journalist The Schmo, Benavidez himself stated that he still believes a super-fight with Canelo can be made within the near future:
“To be honest with you, I’m still keeping my hopes up high – I feel like this fight definitely will occur since it’s just too big, it’s too big to depart this fight on the table and never make it occur.”
“I definitely do think it’s going to occur, I just got to maintain doing my job, look impressive and it can definitely come,” said Benavidez.
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