At this point, Canelo Alvarez is boxing's marquee attraction in North America and the sport's unquestioned pound-for-pound king after Saturday's knockout of Caleb Plant to become the first-ever undisputed super-middleweight champion. In victory, Alvarez also became the first Mexican boxer to accomplish the feat.
The biggest question coming out of the fight now is who is next for Alvarez? Some have said a trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin. Some have said David Benavidez. Some have also said Jermall Charlo. The one name that isn't mentioned is Jaime Munguia, who returns on Saturday night to face Gabriel Rosado from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET)
Munguia, 25, (37-0, 30 KOs) currently fights at middleweight while Alvarez has fought his last four at 168 pounds. Those in Mexico feel Munguia can be the heir apparent to the 31-year-old Alvarez because of the ferocious style he brings to the ring, like Canelo. While there's plenty of fighters to keep Munguia busy for the time being, taking on Alvarez is still the dream matchup.
"Definitely, that's something I’m looking towards in the future," Munguia told DAZN News through a translator. "But right now, I’m at 160. Canelo is at a heavier weight class. Once I feel good about my weight, my body, and moves up to that weight class, and if we're still both the best fighters in their respective divisions, then, of course, I would like to make that fight."
While an Alvarez-Munguia would be a significant event in the United States, a clash in their native Mexico would be considered the premier blockbuster fight to happen in the country. That fact is something Munguia believes and has been in his mind.
"Yes, that would be a really great fight, historic(ally)," Munguia said. "Probably one of the biggest events in Mexico if that fight ever does take place. I actually get excited thinking about it."
Before he can think about a potential Alvarez showdown, Munguia has the rugged, gritty Rosado in his path. Rosado is coming off a narrow defeat to Daniel Jacobs in November 2020 that many pundits felt should have gone his way. The former two-time middleweight title challenger recently scored a "Knockout of the Year" candidate over Bektemir Melikuziev. On paper, Rosado is expected to be Munguia's most formidable opponent. It's an assessment Munguia agrees with.
"Yes, this is the biggest fight for me," Munguia admits. "Probably the most important fight for me so far in my career. I have to give maximum effort to prove what I am made of on November 13."
According to BetMGM, Munguia is a significant favorite to dispatch Rosado. If Munguia takes care of business the way he expects, considerable challenges are on the horizon against the likes of IBF champion Gennadiy Golovkin, WBC titlist Jermall Charlo, WBO titleholder Demetrius Andrade or Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Munguia has an idea of how'd he like to line up his next couple of fights, and some of those names make the cut.
"After Rosado, I would like to face Derevyanchenko and then after Derevyanchenko, if all goes well, I would definitely love a fight against Triple G, or Charlo, (or) the next world champion. I’m ready for it," Munguia said.
The biggest question coming out of the fight now is who is next for Alvarez? Some have said a trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin. Some have said David Benavidez. Some have also said Jermall Charlo. The one name that isn't mentioned is Jaime Munguia, who returns on Saturday night to face Gabriel Rosado from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET)
Munguia, 25, (37-0, 30 KOs) currently fights at middleweight while Alvarez has fought his last four at 168 pounds. Those in Mexico feel Munguia can be the heir apparent to the 31-year-old Alvarez because of the ferocious style he brings to the ring, like Canelo. While there's plenty of fighters to keep Munguia busy for the time being, taking on Alvarez is still the dream matchup.
"Definitely, that's something I’m looking towards in the future," Munguia told DAZN News through a translator. "But right now, I’m at 160. Canelo is at a heavier weight class. Once I feel good about my weight, my body, and moves up to that weight class, and if we're still both the best fighters in their respective divisions, then, of course, I would like to make that fight."
While an Alvarez-Munguia would be a significant event in the United States, a clash in their native Mexico would be considered the premier blockbuster fight to happen in the country. That fact is something Munguia believes and has been in his mind.
"Yes, that would be a really great fight, historic(ally)," Munguia said. "Probably one of the biggest events in Mexico if that fight ever does take place. I actually get excited thinking about it."
Before he can think about a potential Alvarez showdown, Munguia has the rugged, gritty Rosado in his path. Rosado is coming off a narrow defeat to Daniel Jacobs in November 2020 that many pundits felt should have gone his way. The former two-time middleweight title challenger recently scored a "Knockout of the Year" candidate over Bektemir Melikuziev. On paper, Rosado is expected to be Munguia's most formidable opponent. It's an assessment Munguia agrees with.
"Yes, this is the biggest fight for me," Munguia admits. "Probably the most important fight for me so far in my career. I have to give maximum effort to prove what I am made of on November 13."
According to BetMGM, Munguia is a significant favorite to dispatch Rosado. If Munguia takes care of business the way he expects, considerable challenges are on the horizon against the likes of IBF champion Gennadiy Golovkin, WBC titlist Jermall Charlo, WBO titleholder Demetrius Andrade or Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Munguia has an idea of how'd he like to line up his next couple of fights, and some of those names make the cut.
"After Rosado, I would like to face Derevyanchenko and then after Derevyanchenko, if all goes well, I would definitely love a fight against Triple G, or Charlo, (or) the next world champion. I’m ready for it," Munguia said.