Canelo vs De La Hoya: Brawl at Presser Overshadows Title Fight

The final press conference for Canelo Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight title defense against Jaime Munguia descended into chaos as long-simmering tensions between Alvarez and his former promoter Oscar De La Hoya erupted into a heated verbal confrontation.

What was meant to be the culmination of the fight promotion quickly devolved into a shouting match, with Alvarez and De La Hoya trading insults and accusations in an ugly public spat that threatened to overshadow the upcoming bout.

The flashpoint came when De La Hoya referenced Alvarez’s past doping violations, prompting an incensed reaction from the Mexican champion. Alvarez left his seat and attempted to confront De La Hoya, only to be held back by co-promoter Tom Brown.

“He’s a fing a**e,” Alvarez yelled, after the translator initially hesitated to repeat his profanity-laced tirade. “He steals from his fighters. That’s what he do.”

De La Hoya, who promoted Alvarez under his Golden Boy Promotions banner until their acrimonious split in 2020, did not back down, firing back at his former protege with his own verbal jabs.

“Golden Boy built Canelo Alvarez, period,” De La Hoya retorted. “The company you fought under has always had one name, and it’s mine, so put some f***ing respect on it.”

The back-and-forth quickly spiraled out of control, with Alvarez and De La Hoya trading obscenities and personal insults as security personnel scrambled to keep the two men apart. At one point, Alvarez even gestured towards De La Hoya, further escalating the already tense situation.

Amid the chaos, the upcoming fight between Alvarez and Munguia seemed like an afterthought, with the press conference devolving into a sideshow centered around the bitter feud between the Mexican superstar and his former promoter.

While personal rivalries and heated exchanges are nothing new in the world of combat sports promotion, the level of animosity on display was remarkable, even by boxing’s often theatrical standards.

For Alvarez, the outburst appeared to be a culmination of long-simmering grievances with De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, stemming from their contentious split and the fighter’s subsequent lawsuits against his former promoters.

De La Hoya, on the other hand, seemed intent on asserting his role in Alvarez’s rise to stardom, while also positioning his new promotional charge, Munguia, as a potential successor to the Canelo throne.

In the end, however, the press conference devolved into a sideshow that did little to promote the upcoming fight or showcase the skills and accomplishments of the two combatants.

Instead, it was a reminder of the often volatile and unpredictable nature of the boxing world, where personal feuds and grudges can sometimes overshadow even the most highly anticipated bouts.

As the dust settles and the focus shifts back to the ring, both Alvarez and Munguia will undoubtedly be hoping to let their fists do the talking and reclaim the spotlight from the sordid spectacle that unfolded on the dais.