Major momentum appears to be building for an all-Mexico matchup between Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia. 

But first, Munguia must beat John Ryder on Jan. 27 in a way that Alvarez couldn’t last year so that he can get the attention of the undisputed super middleweight champion.

“We started conversations. They called us,” Munguia told BoxingScene.com and other media in an interview. “For me, it will be a real honor to be in the ring with Canelo, if that's possible. I have never called him out or disrespected him. I want my position by fighting in the ring.

“And of course, we like the fight, but we're not calling him out. I'm proving that I am deserving to be in the ring with anyone at 168 pounds.”

A fight between Alvarez and Munguia would require former Alvarez promoter and current Munguia co-promoter Golden Boy, who is tied to DAZN, to strike a deal with Premier Boxing Champions, who is now tied to Amazon Prime and still has a contract with Alvarez to deliver the Mexican star two more fights. 

Should a matchup eventually take place, it would rest the notion that Alvarez isn’t inclined to face fellow Mexican fighters. 

The former 154-pound beltholder Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) entered the super middleweight division last year in an intensely close, fight of the year victory against Sergiy Derevyanchenko. 

Munguia wants to look more convincing against Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) and is promising a performance that will end via knockout so that it can help set up the clash against Alvarez. 

Alvarez scored a comfortable unanimous decision win against Ryder in Mexico last year during Cinco De Mayo weekend, and although he broke the Brit’s nose and knocked him down, an expected knockout finish evaded him. 

“I think the altitude probably didn't make [Alvarez take] risk that much,” said Munguia. “He was administrating himself. But honestly, I don't know why he didn't finish him. I'm going to be prepared 100% and give the best from my side.”

Munguia has changed trainers from Hall of Fame fighter Erik Morales to Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach as he looks to rise to the occasion against Ryder, 

“I'm very happy with Freddie. I learned a lot from Erik Morales. It was more technique with him,” said Munguia. “With Freddie, it's more aggressiveness. Now I am trying to combine both.

“I'm going to try and improve everything together. I don't want to commit to any mistakes. Freddie is going to help a lot. I had a great training camp and am in good condition. 

“[The transition has been] good. We've been very comfortable with Freddie. We've been training hard in Los Angeles without distractions.”

As Munguia prepares to face Ryder, the only evident distraction could be the looming made-for-Hollywood-type fight against Alvarez.

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.