Timothy Bradley Jr.'s take - Munguia has a path to beat Canelo, but can he get there? Full fight night

Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia Full fight night

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The holiday honors Mexican heritage and has become a Mexican-American cultural celebration. The day honors the bravery and resilience of the Mexican people. Boxing has become a significant part of Cinco de Mayo weekend, with many legendary boxers showcasing their skills.

On May 4, the boxing world will witness another showdown between legendary experience and mature youth. Mexican boxing legend and undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez will tangle with undefeated former junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia in a must-see dance of fists that signifies more than just an undisputed championship match. It is also a battle for respect and a potential passing of the torch. At 33, Canelo is not old, but he has been fighting in the pro ranks for almost 19 years and has 64 fights on his record. The admirable Father Time marches on, undefeated in this sport.

The fight will impact the divisional rankings, as a win for Munguia could push him into the No. 1 position at 168 pounds. The outcome will also clarify the fighters' positions in their careers. Remember, fans have been calling for a fight between Alvarez and WBC interim champ David Benavidez, a highly skilled young fighter known as "The Mexican Monster." If Alvarez dominates Munguia, it will clarify his position and maybe determine his future plans. However, if he struggles, it might suggest a different narrative altogether, crushing the dreams of boxing fans worldwide.

Alvarez finds himself in a reflective time warp of fate as he prepares to face a young, hungry fighter in the 27-year-old Munguia. Alvarez will enter a scenario reminiscent of when, as a 23-year-old, he faced the seasoned veteran. He fought the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer at the time, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, in a battle where experience overshadowed youth. Alvarez now embodies the seasoned champion and Munguia is cast in the role once played by Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia Full fight night

Alvarez, whose rate of punches thrown per round is a low 40.8, now faces Munguia, a fighter renowned for his fearless mindset, lethal punching power and a high-volume approach that typically sees him throwing 600 to 800 punches per fight (63 punches per rounds in his last 15 fights). Munguia's performance against Sergiy Derevyanchenko back in June, where he threw close to 800 punches, and a more measured but still scintillating outing of 468 punches against Ryder in nine rounds in January serve as a testament to his aggressive combination style and further his threat against the undisputed champion.

Munguia's high-octane offense could exploit Alvarez's offensive inconsistencies, allowing the challenger to accumulate points and possibly dominate early and later rounds. Alvarez has shown signs of fatigue in the latter stages of fights. This vulnerability might partly stem from his undeniable conviction to land power punches, which can consume a lot of his energy, and partially from the toll from his long, illustrious career.

Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia

Alvarez's masterful counterpunching could capitalize on the openings created by Munguia's aggressive style. With his exceptional timing, Alvarez can punch between Munguia's punches and command the midrange, where he excels in landing his signature lead left hooks and devastating right hooks to the target areas. Alvarez's technique, infused by his longtime trainer Eddie Reynoso, effectively neutralizes his opponents' jab and imposes momentary paralysis, making them gun-shy.

Munguia has advantages in height (6 feet) and reach (72 inches), but Alvarez has overcome such challenges throughout his career with repetitive upper body movement and a tight high guard. Munguia's jab is more potent than Canelo's and could be a crucial component in managing the range at which the fight will be fought. Nevertheless, Alvarez's ability to close the gap and engage at arm's length could be a game-changer in landing his power shots.

Alvarez should look to temper the fight's rhythm by targeting Munguia's body early on. With disciplined bodywork, Alvarez could set a manageable pace that might get Munguia to slow down in the second half of the fight. I see several strategic plans, but I will give Canelo one that he can use against Munguia: Seasoned professionals going against young foes, whether in sparring or actual fights, sometimes try to draw them into the later rounds, effectively sapping their vigor. Youths have a burning desire to showcase their offensive prowess against seasoned opponents and often launch a furious pace that can appear overwhelming at first. However, by the fourth or fifth round, they're typically gasping for air, frantically searching for a second wind.

Simultaneously, the veteran fighter, Alvarez in this case, would place calculated shots that systematically break down the younger opponent. As fatigue sets in from both the physical exertion and the cerebral strain of the tactical chess match that unfolds in the ring, the less seasoned fighter, Munguia, might start to falter, making mistakes. This allows the more experienced fighter to capitalize on these errors, increasing the likelihood of turning a highly competitive contest into a one-sided affair.

For Alvarez to execute this plan successfully, he must utilize his footwork to create space, encouraging Munguia to initiate an offensive attack. This will allow Alvarez to unleash a counterattack with sharp, precise and surgical accuracy to diminish Munguia's stamina gradually. By drawing Munguia into this trap, Alvarez could silently deplete his opponent's energy, setting the stage for a dominant finish.

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