It’s going to be a party in Las Vegas when Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguía celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend with an all-Mexican showdown on May 4. Canelo will defend his status as undisputed super middleweight champion.
Canelo is a pound-for-pound great who only needed 11 months to consolidate all the belts at 168 pounds. The 33-year-old boxer and puncher has competed several times on Cinco de Mayo and this will be Munguía’s first appearance on the popular holiday weekend.
“An all-Mexican championship showdown on Cinco de Mayo weekend between two guys with immense pride in their country and at the top of their games – it doesn’t get any better for the sport of boxing,” De La Hoya said. via PBC.
LOOK: Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguía, live on DAZN
Canelo has not fought a fighter of Mexican descent since beating Julio César Chávez Jr. in 2017. Before that it was Alfredo Angulo in 2014. Many expected Canelo to fight David Benavidez, but Munguía is undefeated in 43 starts and is a worthy challenger.
“I think this fight with Jaime [Munguia] It will be very important for Mexico. “Two Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas, all looking at us,” Canelo told Fight Hub TV through Boxing news 24. “I think it is important for Mexico and I love being involved in these types of fights. “I am proud to give Jaime Munguía the opportunity.”
The Jugo Mobile analyzes the importance of Cinco de Mayo in boxing.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday in Mexico that celebrates the country’s victory over the French in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla.
The holiday is much more popular in the United States as it is associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture. Today it generates massive beer sales in the US.
It is not Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated in September.
Why is Canelo Álvarez fighting on Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo has hosted several nights of fights with some of the best fighters in the world.
Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez competed that weekend, as did Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Oscar De La Hoya fought several times on Cinco de Mayo, the most important being a confrontation with Mayweather.
Since then, Canelo has taken on the role of Mexican fighters competing over Cinco de Mayo weekend. Since 2010, he has fought on the early May date nine times, with Munguía being the tenth. Among the opponents Canelo has competed against on Cinco de Mayo are Chavez Jr., Daniel Jacobs, Dmitry Bivol and John Ryder.
Why is there boxing on Cinco de Mayo?
Although Chavez fought on Cinco de Mayo weekend, it did not become popular as a traditional event until Oscar De La Hoya fought six times during the holiday in six years.
De La Hoya wanted to take advantage of the holiday and the schedule and give boxing fans something to look forward to. Most Cinco de Mayo fight nights take place in Las Vegas.
“To be honest, my hope was that it would become what it has become,” De La Hoya said. ESPN. “I wanted it to be a celebration. I wanted it to be a party and an excuse for boxing fans and non-boxing fans to come to Las Vegas and enjoy a great fight and enjoy a great weekend with their friends or family and celebrate. “
“I figured we have St. Patrick’s Day, where everyone wears green and drinks beer, and we have the Fourth of July in the United States, where everyone barbecues and drinks beer. So why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the United States? States where everyone can watch a big fight and drink beer? It’s a holiday you can celebrate whether you’re Mexican, American, white, black, purple or green this weekend.”
