It has been a confusing career to be a Jaime Munguia fan. Munguia first burst on the scene as an eager prospect wanting to fight Gennadiy Golovkin as a late replacement after Canelo Álvarez was suspended from action from an adverse finding in a test that led to a failed drug test - and Golovkin seeking a new opponent. Munguia first appeared as a Mexican fighter appearing as meme who was willing to step up by the Nevada State Athletic Commission but was unwilling to sanction him.
This was followed by his brutal fourth-round knockout of Sadam Ali to win the WBO junior middleweight world title on HBO boxing, which is now five years ago, somehow - that bout occurred on May 12th, 2018. Munguia continued to look the part of a star as he defeated Liam Smith in his next outing Munguia was one of the more promising 21-year-old fighters we had seen in some time.
Yet, five years later, this start to his career has been the major benchmark until last Saturday when he defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Munguia would have two more junior middleweight world title defenses before a very close and disputed split-decision win over Dennis Hogan. After one more fight, Munguia would move up to middleweight where he would fight six times from 2019-2021 fighting game competitors, but never facing the elite of the division.
His unanimous decision win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who was a career middleweight, who moved up to super middleweight, to face Munguia who now appears to be campaigning at super middleweight for the near future was his most notable achievement since his two-fight stretch on HBO Boxing.
Let’s explore some potential fights for Munguia that could happen next
Gennadiy Golovkin
It seems Gennadiy Golovkin is a retired fighter, but if he wants to fight this would be the fight. Munguia is a big puncher, but limited. Munguia has a perfect record, but that is about the only thing perfect about him as a fighter. Golovkin is an old fighter, but still crafty - and if Golovkin were to want to return to the sport something many highly doubt. This would present an interesting and appealing match-up that would revisit Canelo’s rivalry with Golovkin, as well as see how Munguia fairs against an all-time great, even if it is past his prime.
David Benavidez
Jose Benavidez Sr. has already let the world know that he is interested in exploring this fight when speaking with ProBox TV News. In the post-fight press conference, Munguia was on a form of a call with a member of Team Benavidez. It pits two-action orientated fighters, both of whom are Mexican, with David Benavidez being a Mexican-American, and Munguia being Mexican, that could land at or around the Mexican Independence Day holiday fight weekend in September. This would be a battle of two of the biggest names in the super middleweight division that doesn’t involve the money man of the division, Canelo Álvarez.
Edgar Berlanga
Berlanga is fighting next week against Jason Quigley. Many are throwing his name in the Canelo Álvarez sweepstakes, but it seems like Canelo might also be looking at a Badou Jack fight as well. Berlanga fighting Canelo would be weird since Berlanga doesn’t have a marquee win and it would be more about the event and spectacle of the whole as opposed to the fight itself. Two names that Berlanga could face are Maciej Sulęcki or Jaime Munguia. Munguia is the bigger name - so if Berlanga and team are looking for a big event, and Canelo is not in the mix, Munguia could be who they target.
John Ryder
If Munguia has any interest in landing a Canelo Álvarez fight or appeasing Mexican fight fans, fighting John Ryder and having a more dominant performance could be in store. Ryder is a veteran tough guy, an overachiever, and someone who has never been outclassed in any fight he has been in. Ryder versus Munguia is a real fight as Ryder has won fights in the past that have been stepping up this way, i.e. the Zach Parker fight. Ryder versus Munguia from a sport standpoint might be the most interesting as it would be a direct comparison between Canelo and Munguia. Munguia needs this kind of moment.
Ali Akhmedov
If Munguia wants to fight Golovkin, but can’t fight Golovkin why not target his stablemate and training partner, Ali Akhmedov? Akhmedov is a solid contender who had a misstep against a tough veteran Carlos Gongora who stopped him in the twelfth and final round of their bout in December 2020. Since then, Akhemedov has won three straight fights including his last bout against Gabriel Rosado on the undercard of Canelo vs Golovkin III. Not the most interesting fight, but it could pave the way to some interesting stories and developments in the boxing landscape.
