In what was his best performance in years, Canelo Alvarez retained the undisputed super middleweight championship by posting a 12-round unanimous decision over Jaime Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The official scores were 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.
Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) decked Munguia with a brilliant right uppercut in round four. The challenger had boxed very well up to that point, but he was guilty of leaving gaps, and a sharpshooter like Canelo doesn’t need a second invitation. That moment turned the fight and the champ was largely dominant thereafter.
“[Winning this fight] means a lot,” said Canelo during his post-fight interview with Prime Video. “I’m glad to give Jaime this opportunity. He’s a great guy, a great champion and he’s going to continue doing good. Viva Mexico!
“I took my time [in the fight]. I have a lot of experience. Jaime Munguia is a great fighter; very strong, very smart, but I have 12 rounds to win. I did really good and I feel proud about it. I’m the best fighter right now, for sure.”
Munguia boxed a disciplined fight early, jabbing at Canelo, moving his head and finding distance after each burst. However, the champion was merely taking notes and doing reconnaissance and one sensed that his moment was coming.
Prematurely bolstered by his success, Munguia became too ambitious and suddenly paid the price. With his weight over his front foot, he was nailed by a spectacular right uppercut and went down hard. A lesser man may have stayed down, but Munguia has plenty of fighting guts.
From rounds five through twelve, Canelo won almost every session. Munguia lost his shape and became more and more open to the left hook to head and body. He did well to stay upright and made some gutsy charges late in the fight, but it wasn’t enough.
With one Mexican fighter down, attention quickly turned to Canelo’s plans for the future, which fans hope will include Mexican-American David Benavidez.
“I don’t know right now. I’m going to rest and enjoy my family,” said Canelo as the crowd began to boo. “But if the money is right, I’ll make the call. If the money is right, I don’t give a s___!
“Everybody asks for everything, right? When I fought [Erislandy] Lara, [Miguel] Cotto, [Floyd] Mayweather, [Billy Joe] Saunders, they said I didn’t want to fight them. I fought all of them. Right now, I can do whatever I want.”
That has been the mantra in recent weeks, so fans are advised not to hold their breath.
Munguia loses for the first time in 44 starts. He’s only 27 years old and has plenty of time to come again.
The Sporting News provided live coverage from the full card in Las Vegas and round-by-round scoring for the main event.
Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia live updates, highlights, and commentary
AND STILL THE UNDISPUTED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD… CANELO ALVAREZ. MEXICAN WARRIOR CLAIMS 12-ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION (117-110, 116-111, 115-112)
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia: SN live scorecard
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Canelo | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 116 |
| Munguia | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 111 |
Round 12: As he’s done for most of the night, Canelo is standing with Munguia and threading home the counters. Blood flows from Munguia’s mouth as he advances into the storm of leather. Big right from Munguia and Canelo smiles. BIG SHOT from Canelo. Two big shots by Canelo on the bell.
SN Unofficial Scoring: 10-9 Canelo (116-111)
Round 11: Canelo is nice and relaxed, popping
