“Alvarez’s Shadow Looms Large Over Undercard Fighters”
As the fighters sat at the top table during Thursday’s undercard press conference, there was an air of boredom surrounding their remarks. Perhaps they were trying to maintain a straight face as Mario Barrios-Fabian Andres Maidana was described as the “co-main event.”
In 2024, when Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is involved in a fight, there is no real “co-main event.” Alvarez, the undisputed super-middleweight champion and the world’s most prominent fighter, is the main attraction, with his opponent receiving some attention as a consequence. The undercard, no matter how strong, is often overshadowed.
While the appeal of Brandon Figueroa-Jessie Magdaleno and Eimantas Stanionis-Gabriel Maestre may be considerable, in Las Vegas, ahead of the Cinco de Mayo weekend, Alvarez-Jaime Munguia is the only widely recognized fight in town. Magdaleno’s lack of engagement, as he was seen looking at his phone during the press conference, and Figueroa’s comment about the lack of “action-packed fighters” in boxing, further highlighted the lukewarm reception to the undercard.
“Alvarez, the undisputed super-middleweight champion and the world’s most prominent fighter, is the main attraction, with his opponent receiving some attention as a consequence.”
The media center at The MGM Grand received a much-needed boost in star power when Alvarez arrived, shortly after Munguia’s departure. Representatives of Golden Boy Promotions were with Munguia, but Oscar De La Hoya, presumably to avoid questions related to Ryan Garcia’s reported failed drug test, was not among them.
After Alvarez, the figure involved in Saturday’s promotion most capable of drawing attention is Freddie Roach, Alvarez’s former trainer. Roach is working with Munguia for their second fight together, and his reputation has helped to enhance Munguia’s profile. Roach, despite his struggles with Parkinson’s disease, retained his appreciation and passion for the sport, as evidenced by his analysis of Alvarez’s fighting style.
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