Jaime Munguia Wants to Step Up to Dmitry Bivol
The criticism for Jaime Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs) has been mounting throughout 2022. The one-time junior middleweight world champion has drawn the ire of several observers for what they deem a lack of quality opposition. Some fans even charge that his promoters, Golden Boy, are actively protecting the 26-year-old Mexican. However, having recently cited names like WBA Super light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, Munguia could be looking to step up his competition in 2023.
SAY WHAT NOW?
In attendance for the vacant WBC junior welterweight clash between Regis Prograis and Jose Zepeda, Munguia and a member of his camp spoke to reporters ringside about his future. When asked who he would like to fight in 2023, Team Munguia said the following:
(Translated from Spanish) “If it’s not (Jermall) Charlo, it’s (Gennady) Golovkin, and if it’s not Charlo and Golovkin, it’s Bivol.”
Munguia is ranked highly at middleweight (#1 WBC/WBO, #3 IBF/WBA). So, it figures that he name-checked Charlo and Golovkin, both of whom currently hold world titles at 160. He previously called them out following a third-round stoppage over Gonzalo Coria on November 19.
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The surprise name he mentioned is Bivol, the reigning WBA Super champ at 175. When asked how he would defeat the light heavyweight champion, Munguia said the key is preparation.
“I have great respect for Bivol, and I think he’s a great fighter. But I think that fighting short, hitting the body, and doing good training and with a good strategy . . . What I think is that he has very good distance. He has a very good sense of distance and very good legs. I think he is a very complete fighter.”
A fight between Munguia and Bivol is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Bivol has his eyes on a unification showdown with unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterviev. Another option for Bivol is a rematch with current undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
READY TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Munguia’s hit list is an acknowledgment of the criticism. It could be a signal to his handlers that he’s done fighting guys like Coria and D’mitrius Ballard. To that point, Munguia expressed his desire to fight the elite.
“We are calm. I enjoyed the experience a lot, and we are ready for a big fight.”
Will he get his wish and fight the elites from 160-175? That will be one of the stories worth paying attention to as we roll into 2023.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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