Canelo Alvarez looks unrecognizable after being slapped in the face – but ignores the punch and beats Jaime Munguia

CANELO ALVAREZ looked unrecognizable as he received a massive punch from Jaime Munguia.

The 33-year-old Mexican boxer managed to shake off the blow while defending his undisputed super middleweight title against his compatriot.

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Alvarez overcame a somewhat slow start to dominate and hand Munguia his first loss.

The champion took full control after knocking Munguia down in the fourth round in front of the announced audience of 17,492 people, which was split fairly evenly between the two competitors.

Tim Cheatham scored the fight 117-110, David Sutherland scored it 116-111, and Steve Weisfeld scored it 115-112.

Munguia, 27, was the most aggressive boxer in the first three rounds, even putting Alvarez on the ropes in the third.

Alvarez showed in the fourth that he wasn’t going anywhere, using a left and then a right to the face to send Munguia to the canvas with 38 seconds remaining to change the tone of the fight.

He then injured Munguia over the next four rounds with shots to the face. Munguia mustered his own sets of volleys, but they did little noticeable damage to Alvarez.

That was until the ninth round, when Munguia landed some blows to the face that left Alvarez unrecognizable.

But Alvarez responded with his own combinations, including coming out of the corner, in the most action-packed round of the fight.

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The 10th and 11th rounds were close, but largely followed the same tendencies of Alvarez throwing the harder punches.

Munguia came out in the final round as if he knew he was behind on the judges’ cards, but did little to change the result.

It was Alvarez who once again threw the best punches, using a combination with about a minute remaining on Munguia’s head and following up with a few more blows to end the fight.

After the fight, Alvarez was congratulated by American boxing star Ryan Garcia in his dressing room.

He stated that he is the best Mexican fighter in the world at the moment.

He said: “When I retire, my numbers will tell you where I am.

“I know there have been a lot of great Mexican fighters in the past, but I’m the best fighter right now.”

Alvarez showed for the second fight in a row that he is still one of the biggest names in the sport.

Last time, he beat Jermell Charlo by an even bigger margin.

However, he has failed to score a knockout since defeating Caleb Plant in 2021.

Alvarez was cautious about what he might do next, saying he would return to the ring if the money was right.

He added: “I fought everyone and I can do whatever I want.

This victory means a lot. I’m glad I gave him this opportunity.

“Munguia is a great guy and a great champion. He will have a great career.

“I’m very proud that all the Mexicans are here watching us.”

Will AJ vs Fury really happen?

SunSport boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr answers the big questions about Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally facing off…

Could we finally see Fury vs AJ this year?

Simply: Yes.

Before the Saudi takeover of boxing – led by Turki Alalshikh, would we have seen Fury vs Francis Ngannou, AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn working together and shaking hands for photos?

Simply: No.

The rules, ratings, sanctioning bodies, and promotional and broadcast disputes are irrelevant when so much money is invested in prize fights.

How would this work?

It looks like the winner of Fury vs Usyk on May 18th will fight AJ as soon as possible.

There is a rematch clause in the current deal for the WBC champion of Britain and the WBA, IBF and WBO king of Ukraine to meet and decide the first undisputed ruler in 25 years.

But it seems certain that the belts will fragment afterwards – with a series of mandatory challengers due to their break into the four separate belts – so the clamor for AJ against the winner may be greater than the demand for a repeat for fewer belts.

Where would this happen?

It seems like all the big fights are going to happen in Saudi Arabia now.

But don’t rule out a possible clash between Fury and Ngannou at Wembley Stadium.

It seems the Saudis are keen to eventually hold shows in the UK and this fight, in the home of football, would be a first.

If Usyk takes down the Gypsy King, the excitement for him to face AJ for a third time will be much less intense.

Why this time?

It feels like we’ve twice come close to seeing the showdown, but there have simply been too many obstacles and disputes in the way – similar to how AJ vs Wilder hasn’t happened yet.

But with Alalshikh now making Hearn’s Matchroom and Warren’s Queensberry play nice and letting Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN share the shows, there’s a lot less to fight about in the boardroom and a lot to fight about in the ring.

And if Fury beats Usyk and legitimately demands a huge percentage of Joshua’s delayed meeting, then the Saudis will have the money and influence to hand him 99 percent of the pie – to massage his ego and bank balance – and hand AJ just as much extra batter as needed to keep everything sweet.

Who wins?

If Fury sets up an AJ showdown by defeating Oleksandr Usyk – the maths and statistics make it clear that only a maniac would back Joshua to triumph in the all-English showdown.

Usyk dominated AJ in two one-sided fights on foreign soil.

The Watford man has enjoyed a rise in form and respect since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison, but a 20st 6ft 9in Fury – who has just killed the southpaw with gaping teeth – would be nigh-invincible.

But in any big football derby or cup final, form is often pointed out the window. And perhaps a hungry and rejuvenated AJ might be too much for an undisputed and accomplished Fury.