The best active Mexican fighter is Canelo Alvarez, who tops many pound-for-pound lists. No one can question the superstar’s place among his countrymen.
But who is next best? And who would round out the Top 5? And is Jaime Munguia, who fights D’Mitrius Ballard Saturday, on the list?
Those questions aren’t easy to answer given the depth of talent south of the U.S. border, where only soccer is more popular than the sweet science. Mexico probably produces more elite fighters than any country other than the U.S.
Still, in this special feature, Boxing Junkie has endeavored to give you the best five fighters from Mexico and a list of the next five.
So here we go (in reverse order).
5. Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs)
The former junior middleweight champ has to be on the list. The 25-year-old native of Tijuana has always had pop in his punches, as his knockout percentage indicates. He’s also evolving as a boxer, which isn’t good news for his middleweight rivals. And while he doesn’t have a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, he is building a solid list of victims. He has already beaten Sadam Ali (to win his title), Liam Smith, Tureano Johnson, Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado even though he’s really just getting started. The jury is still out on what Munguia can accomplish but he seems to have the tools to succeed on the highest level. And he should continue to get better with experience.
4. Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs)
Is Santa Cruz declining? That’s a reasonable question. He’s 33, an age when some fighters begin to fade. And he was brutally knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his penultimate fight, which put a instantaneous halt to any momentum he had. However, it might be too soon to write him off. First, his resume is impressive. He has won titles in four divisions and beaten a long list of elite opponents along the way. He bounced back from the Davis setback to shut out Keenan Carbajal on Feb. 5, which was a sign of life. And he plans to move back down to 126, where he should be particularly strong if he can make the weight comfortably. Let’s hold off writing his boxing obituary.
3. Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs)
The dynamic boxer-puncher from Sonora claimed his career-defining victory by outboxing and then knocking out the feared Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds to win a 130-pound title in February of last year, which lifted him to a new level of respect. Before that, he held a major 126-pound title for more than three years. Valdez’s reputation took a hit when he tested positive for a banned substance yet was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September but there is no denying his unusual all-around ability. And remember: The top man on this list also tested positive for a PED.
2. Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs)
Estrada is probably the closest to Alvarez in terms of both ability and accomplishments. The two-division titleholder from Sonora is a superb boxer-puncher, as he has demonstrated repeatedly at an elite level. Among those he has defeated: Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Giovanni Segura, Carlos Cuadras (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. That’s a who’s who of the best little men of a generation. And he proved to be particularly effective in rematches, avenging losses to future Hall of Famers Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez. Estrada might not be quite as good or accomplished as the more-celebrated Alvarez but he’s truly a great fighter.
- Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs)
The undisputed super middleweight champion has accomplished too much to debate his place at the top of this list. The fact is he’s one of the best Mexican fighters of all time. He has turned himself into a complete fighter, one who can outbox you to win a wide decision or knock you out in brutal fashion. He has beaten a list of elite opponents that is longer than any rival in the sport, including Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev. He has won titles in four divisions, which is impressive even if you think belts are overrated. And he has gotten progressively better over the years, which is a testament to his work ethic. Alvarez deserves the respect he receives.
6-10 (in alphabetical order): Isaac Cruz (proved himself in loss to Davis), Julio Cesar Martinez (fights Gonzalez next month), Emanuel Navarrete (needs a few more big wins), Gilberto Ramirez (has done nothing but win), Rey Vargas (almost was No. 5 here).
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