Why did Canelo Alvarez pick Jaime Munguia over David Benavidez, who has been the mandatory challenger for over a year? In an eye-opening chat on The MMA Hour, Oscar De La Hoya spilled the beans on Canelo’s latest fight decision. According to De La Hoya, Canelo’s choices were slim, pushing him towards Munguia.

Set to clash on the Cinco De Mayo weekend on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena, the bout is a potential festival for the Mexicans. As these two proud Mexican powerhouses prepare to throw down, one can’t help but wonder: What’s really the reason behind Canelo’s choice?

Mandatory Challenger left out in the cold?

Canelo Alvarez has a reputation for facing all comers. Well, almost all comers. For years, he’d made a habit of avoiding fights with fellow Mexican boxers. But that all changed with Jaime Munguia. Their Cinco de Mayo showdown marks a break from tradition, and Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo’s former promoter, thinks he knows why.

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De La Hoya recently stirred the pot on The MMA Hour, suggesting Canelo might have felt a bit backed into a corner. “He knows it’s going to be a war,” De La Hoya said, hinting at a potential firecracker of a fight. But then came the surprising part: “I think that the fact that Canelo had only two choices…he had Munguia or he had Benavidez.”

Ouch. Benavidez, the mandatory challenger for Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight title, is now moving on from Canelo. According to De La Hoya, Canelo might have reasoned, “Alright, sh*t, they cornered me. Let me pick Munguia.”

Whether this is De La Hoya throwing shade or there’s truth to his words, it does make you wonder. Did Canelo feel pressured into this fight? And does Oscar hold the key to making the Benavidez fight happen too?

Can Oscar De La Hoya unlock the Canelo vs. Benavidez fight?

Oscar De La Hoya holds a crucial key in potentially unlocking a fight between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez. Despite the strained ties with Canelo’s camp, De La Hoya knows exactly how to maneuver through the intricate world of boxing promotions. In a candid chat with ABN Sports Media, he expressed confidence in his abilities to orchestrate big fights. “If David Benavidez was with me at Golden Boy, it would have been a different story by now,” De La Hoya asserted.

“We would have already beaten the drums. I would have taken David to Mexico with me and challenged Canelo, knocked on everyone’s door.” His words hint at the complex interplay of relationships and interests that shape boxing careers.

What could change Canelo’s mind? What do you think could tip the scales for this high-stakes showdown to happen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.