Oscar De La Hoya has claimed that he was almost barred from being involved in the build-up for Canelo Alvarez’s showdown with Jaime Munguia.
It was announced earlier this week that undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo will defend his four world titles against Munguia in an all-Mexican showdown on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
De La Hoya, who promotes Munguia and previously guided the career of Alvarez before their acrimonious split in 2020, suggested that during negotiations, other parties attempted to limit his involvement in the bout, although he didn’t confirm if this was at the request of Alvarez or Premier Boxing Champions, who are leading the promotion for the event.
“There was all kinds of s***,” De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV.
“But, no we cleared everything up.
“[They said] ‘oh Oscar can’t be part of it.’
“F*** you guys. What are you talking about?
“This is my company. It’s Golden Boy. How can I not be there?
“A little push. A little tug. We got it all done.
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“I promised myself I will not let my ego get in the way, but I wanna be here for this one, so I had to push back.”
Alvarez has made a shock return to Al Haymon’s PBC on a one-bout deal after mutually agreeing to part ways last month, one fight into a three-fight deal.
The 33-year-old easily outpointed Jermell Charlo last September and was looking at a bout with his twin brother, Jermall Charlo for May 4, followed by a showdown with former unified welterweight champion, Errol Spence Jr in September.
But given the lack of demand for either a Charlo or Spence fight, according to boxing insider Dan Rafael, Haymon wanted to change the terms of the deal and make David Benavidez the third fight on the deal.
After failing to come to an agreement, the pair parted company and Alvarez had held talks with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, who have promoted six of his last eight bouts for clashes with Munguia and Edgar Berlanga.
The Guadalajara native though re-signed with PBC to headline an Amazon pay-per-view card, but the show will also be broadcast on DAZN, whom De La Hoya has an exclusive deal with.
(Ryan Hafey, PBC)
Munguia will look to become a two-weight world champion when he faces his compatriot and is coming off a ninth round stoppage win over John Ryder in January, who went the distance in defeat to Alvarez last May.
“We know when he’s ready, we know when he’s not,” De La Hoya added.
“That’s our job. He is ready.
“He is positioned right now. This is his moment.
“This can be the changing of the guard on Cinco De Mayo.”
Canelo and Munguia will come face-to-face for the first time at a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday to formally announce their showdown.
