PHOENIX: Should Jaime Munguia defeat John Ryder on Saturday at the Footprint Center, Phoenix, live on DAZN then he should be in prime position to be Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's next opponent.
"I don’t think Canelo’s going to fight David Benavidez next," Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, Ryder's representative, told ProBox TV on Thursday at the final pre-fight press conference. "When you look at Canelo's options … his options are very thin."
According to a ProBox TV source with knowledge of PBC's three-fight strategy for Canelo, it is the same plan as it's been for a while with a maiden Premier Boxing Champions outing against Jermell Charlo, and includes possible bouts against Jermall Charlo, and Benavidez — which could be a two-fight deal.
Our sources in Mexico, though, indicated that Canelo's team was quietly negotiating with Munguia's representatives. A source ProBox TV spoke to this week said the Munguia fight is by no means off the table.
Though Canelo is not fighting this weekend his name has been a constant narrative through the Munguia-Ryder promotion.
Win, in style, and Munguia and his team hope he jumps to the front of the line to face Canelo.
Ryder, though, intends to spoil that coming-out party as he is determined to be the first fighter to beat Munguia, so he can lobby for a Canelo rematch himself.
"We know how the game works," Hearn told us. "Because of John’s performance against Canelo Alvarez, Munguia here and with Golden Boy, [they think] ‘We can stop him, and if we stop him, we have to get the Canelo fight.’ And that’s a great fight for him, and I think it’s a 50-50."
While Ryder pines for Canelo, Hearn believes that, should he defeat Munguia, then another big fight awaits the Brit — possibly even one against David Benavidez or Caleb Plant.
But, if Munguia gets the W, then he should be a shoe-in for Cinco de Mayo against Canelo, said Hearn, even downplaying the merits of Canelo instead facing Jermall Charlo.
"That's a nothing fight," Hearn said of Canelo-Jermall.
"I think if Munguia was to win, then that is the fight for Canelo. Munguia is the favorite here in Phoenix. He's a great fighter. There’s a lot on the line for Munguia this weekend."
