Is David Benavidez subsequent for Canelo Alvarez?

(Editor’s be aware: This story first revealed at Boxing Junkie, a part of the USA TODAY Community.)

BIGGEST WINNER: Canelo Alvarez

Alvarez in all probability isn’t the very best fighter on the earth pound-for-pound, as he steered after his one-sided choice over Jaime Munguia on Saturday in Las Vegas. That nod goes to Terence Crawford (Boxing Junkie’s No. 1) or Naoya Inoue as of late.

The 33-year-old Mexican star is making a powerful case that information of his decline is untimely, nonetheless.

Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) regarded like a fading fighter in his loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022 and sluggish victories over Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder that adopted. He regarded much more just like the outdated sharpshooting Alvarez in selections over Jermell Charlo and now Munguia.

What was the distinction? He’s wholesome. His surgically repaired left wrist, which dogged him by is worst performances, is now 100%.

He definitely appeared to be close to his finest in opposition to Munguia, who unloaded loads of punches however couldn’t pierce Alvarez’s safe protection constantly sufficient to make the combat shut. And Alvarez, who throws fewer punches however makes them depend, landed virtually at will. He landed 49.7% of his energy punches, based on CompuBox.

The outcome was arguably Alvarez’s finest efficiency since he dominated Callum Smith in 2020, one which definitely maintains his membership within the unique pound-for-pound membership.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to not get carried away. Spectacular victories over Charlo and Munguia carry restricted weight as a result of the previous moved up two divisions for the combat and Munguia continues to be growing. Even Alvarez alluded to a obtrusive weak point on the a part of the latter after the combat.

“He’s sturdy, however he’s somewhat gradual. I can see each punch [coming],” Alvarez mentioned.

Alvarez has one apparent manner of proving past doubt that he’s the identical fighter who climbed to the highest of many pound-for-pound lists and remained there for years: Beating David Benavidez, a formidable fighter many imagine he has been ducking.

He was requested once more after his victory over Munguia whether or not he’d be keen to lastly face Benavidez, who’s scheduled to tackle Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175 kilos on June 15.

Alvarez made it clear that he would accomplish that if the cash is correct, that means he calls for that his payday be commensurate with the chance of dealing with his greatest menace at 168. And, whereas he was nonetheless contained in the ropes, he noticed Benavidez within the crowd, locked eyes with him and pointed to the ring as if to say, “I’ll meet you right here.”

Let’s hope he’s critical. The followers need to see that combat, assuming Benavidez defeats the succesful Gvozdyk. And Alvarez must make a greater case that he actually is the very best.

BIGGEST LOSER: Jaime Munguia

Munguia mentioned his first setback was painful. In fact, it was. The 27-year-old from Tijuana had an opportunity to make historical past and fell quick.

He shouldn’t be too arduous on himself, nonetheless, He should bear in mind who beat him, a future Corridor of Famer with extra expertise in massive fights than anybody else in boxing. Plenty of good fighters have misplaced to Alvarez.

I imagine the Munguia we noticed on Saturday evening might beat virtually anybody else within the division. He won’t be fast by Alvarez’s requirements however he’s quick sufficient to land punches constantly in opposition to good opponents, as we noticed in his victories over Sergey Derevyanchenko and John Ryder.

Nobody can dent the chin of Alvarez, it appears, however Munguia additionally has the facility to harm or no less than acquire the respect of another opponent. He turned the primary to cease the rugged Ryder in January, which Alvarez couldn’t do.

And he confirmed loads of grit. I assumed the top is likely to be close to when he was knocked down by an ideal proper uppercut in Spherical 4. As an alternative, he weathered the storm, continued to combat his coronary heart out and by no means gave up despite the fact that Alvarez managed the remainder of the bout.

The purpose is that Munguia is a wonderful fighter, particularly after working with coach Freddie Roach for his final two fights. It’s nonetheless too straightforward to hit him however he has and may proceed to enhance in that division.

In actual fact, he might observe the lead of Alvarez, who developed from a strong defensive fighter right into a top-of-the-line on the earth by working at it.

If Munguia maintains his confidence after the primary lack of his decade-long profession and continues to evolve, he might nonetheless develop into the dominating pressure he and his handlers have envisioned for him.

“It’s similar to Floyd Mayweather versus Canelo,” mentioned Oscar De La Hoya, Munguia’s promoter. “Canelo acquired schooled after which he turned the face of boxing.”

Certainly, his time isn’t now nevertheless it might come quickly.

RABBIT PUNCHES

Welterweight contender Eimantas Stanionis made a powerful assertion in his unanimous choice victory over Gabriel Maestre on the Alvarez-Munguia undercard despite the fact that he was getting back from a two-year layoff. The secondary titleholder used clever stress to regulate the combat, attacking relentlessly behind his heavy jab whereas sustaining a powerful defensive guard. Maestre (6-1-1, 5 KOs) had his moments however couldn’t cope long run. Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) regarded like an even bigger, maybe higher model of Isaac Cruz, one other elite fighter who makes use of stress to overwhelm opponents. I don’t know whether or not Stanionis can beat the gifted Jaron Ennis however everybody else within the 147-pound division needs to be cautious of this combating machine. Maestre? He clearly is an efficient fighter. I hope the 37-year-old will get no less than yet one more massive combat to show what he can do. … Welterweight contender Mario Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) and Fabian Maidana (22-3, 16 KOs) served up a dud on the Alvarez-Munguia card, with Barrios successful a unanimous choice. Blame Maidana, the brother of Marcos Maidana. He let his fingers go right here and there however largely got here to outlive and had the flexibility to take action, which made it troublesome for Barrios to look good. Barrios clearly might’ve achieved a greater job of reducing off the ring however he deserves a cross given his opponent’s techniques. …

Featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs) acquired off to a gradual begin in opposition to a surprisingly efficient Jessie Magdaleno (29-3, 18 KOs) however discovered his rhythm by mid-fight after which ended issues with a brutal left to the liver within the ninth spherical after 14 months out of the ring. I don’t know what was happening within the first third of the combat. Perhaps it was rust. Perhaps it was Magdaleno, whose stick-hold-and-move technique labored properly for some time. Perhaps it was one thing else, possibly Figueroa was attempting to show within the first few rounds that he’s not a mere brawler, that he can field too. Clearly, he can field. It takes ability to construct a profitable document even in case you’re a stress fighter. He doesn’t must show that. He ought to keep on with what woks from the opening bell, which is to smother his opponents in punches. … Information broke on Wednesday that samples offered by Ryan Garcia earlier than his victory over Devin Haney on April 20 examined constructive for the banned substance Ostarine. Garcia mentioned he would by no means knowingly take steroids, which is the usual line in such a scenario. Doesn’t matter. I’ve mentioned this one million occasions: Fighters are chargeable for what goes into their our bodies. If an investigation confirms that he had PEDs in his system, it’s on him.

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