Tag Archives: Jaime Munguia

Posted on 02/12/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Jaime Munguia has always had a difficult time calling out anyone. It could be because of his soft-spoken approach or the fact that he doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Whatever the case is, the former Jr middleweight titlist has always gone with the more diplomatic approach when deciding who he wants to face next.

Yet, with rumors that he is heading towards a showdown with Gennadiy Golovkin getting louder and louder, the Mexican native admitted that he is in fact chasing after him. Having been out of the ring for roughly three months, Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) knows good and well that jumping straight into a contest with the future first-ballot Hall of Famer may not be the best idea. However, if that’s how the chips fall, then so be it.

“We are trying to get that fight,” said Munguia during an interview with Fight Hub TV. “Me and my team were thinking to have a tune-up fight before we face GGG. But if the opportunity presents itself then we’ll make the fight happen. Honestly, I know GGG isn’t just any fighter. He has left a great legacy in his career. I respect what he has done and I admire him also.”

Narrowing down a date for their possible showdown would be thinking too far ahead. At the moment, talks haven’t exactly progressed that far along just yet. However, with two Mexican holidays in Cinco De Mayo and Mexican Independence Day taking place in May and September, in a perfect world, Munguia would rather add to the historic list of great fights that have happened on those day’s by attaching his own clash with Golovkin to the renowned date.

“I would love to put on a show if it’s on Cinco De Mayo or in September. It would be a great fight.”

For Kazakhstan’s Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs), a date with Munguia is something that he would seemingly embrace. Approximately two and a half years ago, team Golovkin attempted to lure a much younger Munguia into the ring. At when he was considered the height of his powers, many believed a matchup between the two at the time was about as one-sided as can be. In fact, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the fight due to Munguia’s age, then 21, and lack of experience against top opposition.

Fast forward almost three years later and Munguia is not only older at 24 years of age, but he also had a lengthy title run in the Jr middleweight division. Now, he is considered a top contender at 160 pounds.

In spite of their showdown viewed as a much closer contest as opposed to the one-sided bloodbath many years ago, Munguia is fully aware that Golovkin is as dangerous as they come. The long-reigning middleweight titlist recently annihilated mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta via seventh-round stoppage roughly two months ago.

Similarly, Munguia made a statement of his own approximately two months prior against Tureano Johnson, stopping the contender in the sixth round. At the moment, Munguia is on a roll as he has stopped both of his opponents since moving up to the middleweight division.

Still, with his confidence through the roof, Munguia won’t let his recent success get to his head. In facing someone like Golovkin, albeit 38 years of age, he still has the power to turn off just about anyone’s lights in the most vicious way possible.

“When it comes to facing him, we have to alert for whatever he throws. He can go to the body, so I have to keep my distance. Throwing combinations, staying busy, but it’s easy to say right now but being inside the ring it can be different.”

Posted on 12/31/2020

By: Hans Themistode

At one point in time, a matchup between Gennadiy Golovkin and Jaime Munguia was considered a massacre. At least on paper.

After a highly controversial draw with Canelo Alvarez in September of 2017, Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) attempted to set the record straight a few months later. However, with Alvarez failing two drug tests during their subsequent rematch, the pair’s sequel was postponed. Not wanting to sit on the sidelines for a protracted amount of time, Golovkin opted to face a replacement opponent. Amongst the names floated around was an undefeated, yet unproven, 21-year-old in Jaime Munguia.

Despite Munguia’s efforts to secure the bout, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) considered Munguia in over his head and refused to sanction the event.

While Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) sulked at first, he’s spent the past two years building both his experience and resume. Shortly after getting rejected from the NSAC, Munguia would go on to annihilate then WBO Jr middleweight titlist Sadam Ali. With six title defenses under his belt, Munguia opted to drop his title and move up to the middleweight division. So far, the now 24-year-old has picked up two stoppage wins in his new weight class. That, along with his massive improvements, has made him a potential front runner for Golovkin’s next bout.

“I think we have a good chance of having this fight,” said co-promoter of Munguia Fernando Beltrán. “Right now we are just talking.”

As for Golovkin, the current IBF belt holder now stands alone in boxing history as he made the 21st defense of his middleweight title, breaking a tie with newly inducted hall of famer Bernard Hopkins. The now 38-year-old punished mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta, dropping him four times before stopping him in the seventh.

In terms of his next opponent, seemingly everyone near the long-reigning middleweight champion is pulling him in a separate direction.

Regardless of the exploratory talks with team Munguia, Golovkin has long wanted to settle the score with Canelo Alvarez. Furthermore, promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed his desire to matchup Golovkin with WBO belt holder Demetrius Andrade.

Posted on 10/31/2020

After blasting through the Jr middleweight division, former 154 pound titlist Jaime Munguia has done the same six pounds north.

In just his second fight in his new weight class, the Mexican product outworked and outmuscled perpetual contender Tureano Johnson to the tune of a sixth round stoppage victory at the Fantasy Springs Casino, in Indio California.

Things may have ended well for the 24 year old, but before he had his hand raised in victory, his night got off to a rocky start.

From the moment the bell rang, the 36 year old came barreling ahead. His aggressiveness wasn’t just effective, but it also threw Munguia off his A-game.

“He caught me off guard in the beginning,” said Munguia to a group of reporters during a zoom call. “His pressure from the beginning was just really unexpected.”

Normally, the aggression comes from the side of Munguia, but with his opponent refusing to cede any ground, he had to go into his bag of tricks and make an adjustment.

“My uppercuts were key in turning things in my favor,” said Munguia.

His various punch selection, along with his footwork allowed him to find space for a few of his thudding shots as the rounds went by.

Seemingly needing to switch up his game plan, Johnson turned from orthodox to southpaw during the third and fourth rounds to bring some momentum in his direction. By all accounts, Johnson’s plan found success as he began landing a few eye catching shots of his own. That however, was short lived as Munguia began picking up the pace.

As rounds five and six came rolling by, it appeared as though the older veteran figured out his younger opponent. The pressure and ubiquitous punches he threw were finding their target and Munguia was seemingly tiring.

Somewhere amongst the fray of punches that were thrown by both men was a shot that turned the fight completely in the favor of Munguia. At the end of the sixth round, the ringside doctor was called to the apron so that he could take a closer look at the veteran’s lip which was seemingly holding on by a thread. The pleas of Johnson to allow him to continue were rebuffed as the contest was called off. As a result of the early stoppage, Munguia was handed the victory as it was ruled that the cut was due to a punch as opposed to a head butt.

Posted on 10/11/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Slowly but surely, Jamie Munguia is facing the level of competition that most have been asking for. 

The one time WBO Jr middleweight titlist is coming off an eleventh round stoppage win over Gary O’Sullivan earlier this year. Currently, the Mexican native is preparing to build off that momentum when he takes on perennial contender Tureano Johnson on October 30th, in his second contest at middleweight.

A win over the long time veteran should further cement his status as a bonafide contender in the division. At the moment, Munguia (35-0, 28 KOs) is currently ranked number one in the WBO and number two in the WBC. 

Houston’s Jermall Charlo presently holds the aforementioned WBC title and just dispatched his number one contender in Sergiy Derevyanchenko with ease just a few weeks ago. It was an impressive performance by Charlo. So much so that even Munguia had to give the surly champion his just due. 

“I think he had an excellent fight,” said Munguia on Fight Hub TV. “He did what he had to do. He never really let Derevyanchenko answer. I know Derevyanchenko had his moments but Charlo solved that problem.”

A showdown between Charlo and Munguia has been discussed since the two held world titles at 154 pounds. But as is always the case in boxing, the business side of things stopped an actual matchup from materializing. 

Despite being on opposite sides of the boxing street, if Munguia continues to pile up the victories, he doesn’t see why a matchup couldn’t take place with either Charlo or another high profile middleweight who just so happens to hold a world title as well. 

“I think so, if we keep winning and I become champion then the people are going to ask for that fight. Either Charlo or Gennadiy Golovkin, I would love to have a fight with them.”  

Posted on 09/22/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Jaime Munguia seemingly came out of nowhere to win a world title at 154 pounds, knocking out former titlist Sadam Ali in order to do so in 2018. From there, the Mexican native began running through his competition. With five successful title defenses, albeit against inferior competition, Munguia decided to try his hand in the 160 pound division. 

So far so good, as he stopped Gary O’Sullivan in the 11th round earlier this year. Now, the former 154 pound belt holder will take on his toughest test to date in Tureano Johnson on October 30th. 

Munguia’s promoter in Oscar De La Hoya, unsurprisingly has all the faith in the world in his young star. But after witnessing Johnson knock off another De La Hoya promoted fighter in Jason Quigley, the 2014 hall of famer issued a bit of a warning to his man.

“Jaime Munguia has all the qualities to become Mexico’s biggest boxing superstar,” said De La Hoya in a recent press release. “He’s tough, charismatic and has the physique to win world titles at both middleweight and super middleweight after a successful reign at 154 pounds. However, Tureano Johnson is coming off an impressive knockout win against Jason Quigley in which he handed him his first loss, something he definitely wants to do against Munguia as well. This is a veritable crossroads fight, and the winner will cement his case for a world title opportunity and be a threat to any of the champions.”

With COVID-19 pressing pause on the usually active career on Munguia (35-0, 28 KOs), the 23 year old was smiling ear to ear once he found out that he would be entering the ring at least one more time this year. 

“It’s a great honor to be returning during these tough times,” said Munguia. “I hope to deliver excitement and entertainment to the fans as the world begins to slowly make its return to normalcy. At the same time, I have been training and improving my skills with my team at the Ceremonial Center in Otomi [Mexico], and I will show everyone that Jaime Munguia is ready for the best in the division.”

Much of the hoopla will be centered around Munguia. He is after all, only 23 years of age, undefeated and already has a world title attached to his young resume. 

With that being said, Johnson (21-2-1, 15 KOs) doesn’t give a damn about any of his accomplishments. His record may be sullied with losses and a questionable draw, but he still believes in his own world title aspirations. 

“I am excited about the opportunity to fight Jaime Munguia,” said in a recent press release. “The setbacks I have had in my career have only made me stronger. Munguia is a tough undefeated fighter, but I will hand him his first defeat as I pursue my quest to be the middleweight champion of the world.”

Posted on 03/31/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Billy Joe Saunders scored the golden ticket. Then, in true Billy Joe Saunders like fashion, he lost it. Or at least that’s what it seems like. 

Getting a contest against pound for pound star Canelo Alvarez isn’t easy. When you campaign at three different weight classes, the options are endless. Yet, Saunders did enough both in the ring, and with his words, to land the biggest fight of his career. 

On May 2nd, in Las Vegas Nevada, Saunders was set to take on Alvarez with his WBO Super Middleweight title on the line. Even with the Coronavirus pandemic pressing pause on all sporting events around the world, Saunders had nothing to worry about. Alvarez already agreed to fight him. So when boxing officially opened its doors, Saunders was the first man in line to take on boxing’s biggest star. 

The WBO Super Middleweight champion didn’t need to do anything. Just find a way to stay in shape and prepare for the fight of his life. 

Hell, if Saunders simply locked himself inside of his room and chose not to re-emerge until the date of the fight, he would be a happy man. But, with boredom getting the best of him, Saunders thought it would be funny to release a video of himself punching a heavy bag. 

Seems innocent right? 

That would be true until you realize Saunders made said heavy bag play the role of wives all over the world. With everyone quarantining at home to prevent the spread of the virus, Saunders thought it would be funny to record a video of what all husbands should do to their wives should they get on their nerves too much. 

Not only did several people find it not funny, but now, Saunders had his boxing license taken away. 

It’s too early to tell, but his chances of facing Alvarez now looks a bit bleak. 

So what should Alvarez do? If Saunders is officially out, then who should replace him? Keep reading to find out some viable options. 

Gennady Golovkin 

Before the Coronavirus sent boxing to the sidelines, not only was Alvarez set to take on Saunders, but he was also ready to fight fellow Middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin for a third time. But with boxing on an indefinite hiatus, and with Saunders seemingly out as an opponent, then why not just jump straight into a contest against Golovkin? 

If we’re lucky, boxing will return during the second half of the year, sometime in the fall. Although Alvarez usually gets two fights in per year, he could be forced to settle for one. If that’s the case, then allow these two to put an end to their rivalry once and for all. 

Jaime Munguia 

23 year old Jaime Munguia has some pretty big aspirations. Not only does he want to win a world title in his second weight class, but he also wants to be known as one of the greatest Mexican fighters ever. He can accomplish the first part of his goals with some careful matchmaking. But in order to achieve the second part, he’ll need to take on some big names. In the case of Canelo Alvarez, it doesn’t get any bigger. 

If Alvarez is steadfast on fighting twice this year and doesn’t simply want a soft touch, then a fight against Munguia makes sense.