Spike O'Sullivan: Buena suerte to old pal Munguia against tactical master Canelo

I went 11 rounds with Jaime in San Antonio. It was his first step up to middleweight and it suited him a bit too well.

TACTICAL MASTER: Boxer Canelo Alvarez shakes hands with opponent Jaime Munguia during the final news conference for them at the MGM Grand on May 1, 2024, in Las Vegas. Pic: L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Larry Ryan

The sauna down at Mardyke Arena is basically Cork’s version of the United Nations. Grab your towel, open the door to the world and ladle some water on the hot stones on your way in.

I’ve made close friends from farthest-flung places in there. This summer I’ll be heading out to East Africa to help coach at some boxing clubs off the back of meeting a great fella from Kenya in there. It was in the sauna where I also met José Barcia who has become my friend but, just as importantly, he’s my teacher too.