Could Canelo Alvarez be caught in “Father Time” fighting live dog Jaime Munguia?

The premise of the working theory that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is sloping down the back side of his career is that he will turn 34 this summer, has lost three of his last four fights by unanimous decision (including two in which he appeared to fade), and has avoided his most serious challenger.

As Mexico’s Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) approaches his May 4 undisputed super middleweight title protection versus his compatriot and previous junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) of Tijuana, the skeptics will observe intently.

Chris Algieri, an analyst and former 140-pound world champion, stated on Friday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “Deep Waters” that Alvarez has strayed into a conversation that has been reached by every fighter, including all of the greats of the past.

Algieri stated, “We’re always talking about “Father Time,” which is age, and we are talking about the time when Canelo is going to be overtaken.”

Could 'Father Time' Catch Canelo Alvarez Against Live Dog Jaime Munguia? https://t.co/CfpJnXgKmT

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“In terms of trends, we have Munguia on the rise and Canelo on the decline. We never know which version of Canelo will appear. Are they going to cross paths at a time when Munguia can win? That is the real question. Also, it’s not something we’ll be aware until battle night.”

Alvarez will rely on his power, ring IQ, experience, and skill advantages to defeat his younger countryman, who has moved up in weight and is elevating to a grand promotion for the first time, according to logic and the bookmakers, who list Canelo as a -550 favorite.

Alvarez is positioned to meet a now-mandatory title challenger in heavyweight Edgar Berlanga, despite some fans and critics blaming him for choosing Munguia over the more deserving unbeaten former super middleweight champion David Benavidez. Alvarez enjoys the luxury of being known as “The Face of Boxing.”

Perhaps Munguia will decide Alvarez’s future.

In comparison to Alvarez, Munguia is six years younger and has competed in 285 fewer professional rounds than Alvarez.

Algieri commented, “I’ve had a funny feeling about this fight, in terms of Munguia’s chances, for a while now.” I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez and what he has accomplished in the ring.

“However, i don’t have the foggiest idea. I have an idea how Munguia is getting ready. You mention the things that trouble Canelo, like his punching output, and he’s had trouble with taller, bigger guys like Dmitry Bivol, the light heavyweight champion. Munguia is the biggest 168-pounder I’ve ever seen, and he’s getting better. He has a right hand and beat John Ryder with a left hook.

“So there’s a lot of underlying reasons I’ve been listening to and seeing, and Munguia’s a very, very live dog,” Alvarez said of his Mexico homecoming fight in May, “and Munguia’s a very, very live dog.” While Munguia defeated England’s Ryder by TKO in the ninth round in January, Alvarez went the distance with Ryder and appeared to tire in the final half of the fight.