Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez have had their differences for a number of years stemming from the period Alvarez was still signed to De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, but the enmity between the two came exploded during yesterday’s press conference for the Alvarez-Munguia fight―that is set to take place this Saturday on May 4th during the Cinco de Mayo weekend. Threats, profanity and accusations were launched during and after the presser, threatening to overshadow one of the most relevant boxing matches to be held between Mexican fighters this decade.
Golden Boy Promotions founder and CEO Oscar De La Hoya attended the presser as a representative of Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KO’s)―who Golden Boy co-promotes alongside Zanfer Promotions, and amidst a speech that was originally meant to promote the fight and Munguia, the former four-division champion briefly addressed Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KO’s) whose criticism towards De La Hoya over the past couple of months urged the Golden Boy chairman to respond.
“My sole purpose in this promotion is to support Jaime [Munguia], an undefeated and incredible talent who deserves a stage and spotlight at this point of his career,” De La Hoya stated during the presser. “However, I would be remiss if I didn’t respond to the man [Canelo Alvarez] who I used to promote.
“He [Alvarez] seems to have trouble remembering who helped him become a true global star. To be clear, I have nothing but respect for Canelo Alvarez as a fighter; his record and ability speak for themselves, but he has spent much of the last two months insulting me rather than promoting this fight.
“Yes, I have faced a lot of challenges in my life. Yes, I have been to rehab several times. Yes, there were some really low points in my life, and yes, there were times my work was not a priority based on my mental health―which I had neglected for so long, but that doesn’t change the fact Golden Boy built Canelo Alvarez, period.
“The company you fought under for decades has always had one name, and it’s mine, so put some f****** respect on it. As for Jaime, he is always there to be great, just as this [upcoming] Saturday night, and this serves as a bit of a full circle for him [Munguia].
“Remember when Jaime was 20-years old, volunteered to step in against “Triple G” [Gennady Golovkin], and Canelo [Alvarez] failed two drug tests. Though Jaime wasn’t allowed to fulfill his dream in 2018, on Saturday night, he will do just that, fulfill his dream and be world champion.“
Canelo Alvarez, incensed by the words, quickly confronted De La Hoya after his speech but was impeded by security guards while he spewed profanity towards his former promoter.
Several years ago, Canelo Alvarez was slated to face Gennady Golovkin in a rematch―after their first fight in September of 2017 had ended in a draw, but the rematch was cancelled after Alvarez had tested positive on two occasions for the banned substance of clenbuterol.
Though Alvarez received the equivalent to a slap on the wrist with a suspension of six months―though he was forced to relinquish his The Ring Boxing Magazine middleweight title. Canelo Alvarez later went on to defeat Gennady Golovkin by majority decision (MD) in 2018 following the end of his suspension, and his explanation of having eaten contaminated meat went virtually unchallenged by virtually every media outlet and organization in boxing.
De La Hoya’s mention of Canelo Alvarez’ failed drug tests stirred the Mexican champion to the point he heavily lambasted De La Hoya during and after the press conference, going so far as to divulge sensitive information regarding his departure from Golden Boy in 2020.
“I don’t expect anything less than that with that kind of person,” Alvarez stated to reporters in response to De La Hoya’s statements during the presser. “He [De La Hoya] is an a*****e. He’s mad because I left Golden Boy. I’m the diamond in Golden Boy. Golden Boy is not the same without me, that is why he’s angry.“
Canelo Alvarez further alleged that De La Hoya was stealing money from his fighters, including Alvarez, which led to the termination of Alvarez’ contract with Golden Boy due to his legal team successfully arguing for a breach of contract.
Alvarez is still poised to defend all his 168 lbs world titles―as well as The Ring lineal title―against Jaime Munguia come May 4th, but an extra layer of intrigue has been added to a match that already contained considerable interest due to two Mexican fighters engaging in a pivotal title bout to become, or remain, the undisputed super middleweight champion.
With Munguia the lesser experienced and younger fighter and represented by De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, a potential win for him against Alvarez would signal the “changing of the guard” as De La Hoya had mentioned during the presser, and serve as an ideal revenge victory for De La Hoya. A Munguia victory would further potentially herald in a new Mexican superstar in the world of boxing, and place Golden Boy firmly back on top since Alvarez left the promotional outfit.
The various factors influencing the fight means Canelo Alvarez is facing more pressure than he has usually, with him not only being expected to win against a capable contender, but now having to carry the extra weight of his conflict with De La Hoya which might motivate Alvarez to be at his very best on May 4th.
