The super middleweight division’s top contenders were in suspense until Saul “Canelo” Alvarez announced that he will take on Mexican countryman Jaime Munguia on May 4.

Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) will defend his undisputed title against the Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Meanwhile, Christian Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) is the latest 168-pound contender to burst through as a worthy adversary to boxing’s biggest draw. A Frenchman based in Montreal who is working with trainer Marc Ramsey, Mbilli signed promotional terms with Top Rank following his explosive sixth-round retirement of Rohan Murdock in January.  

“I think it will be a very easy fight for Canelo,” Mbilli told Boxing Scene. “I have watched Munguia many times. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not the best physically. He’s easy to break – he’s fragile. I’m not too sure he can take a good punch when he’s under pressure.”

Alvarez has put three consecutive unanimous decision wins together since suffering a rare loss, to Dmitrii Bivol, in a move up to light heavyweight in May 2022. Munguia joined the super middleweight division last July, starting his campaign with a narrow points win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko. The former super welterweight world champion followed his 168-pound debut with a knockout victory against John Ryder six weeks ago.

“I think Canelo is past his best,” Mbilli said. “I think he might retire in three or four fights. He’s a great fighter, but I think he’s on the way down right now. Canelo might knock him out, but right now I think Canelo has some difficulties with that. I’ve seen all his fights; the last three fights he has had some difficulty finishing his opponent.

“He might not knock his opponent out, but I do think it will be a very easy win for Canelo.”

Mbilli is currently ranked No. 2 in the WBA and WBC, No. 3 by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBO.