Jaime Munguia makes a return from his first professional defeat this Friday night, as he faces the unbeaten and well-ranked Canadian, Erik Bazinyan over 12 rounds at super middleweight at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Top Rank promote Munguia vs Bazinyan, whilst Sky Sports televise the card in the UK with ESPN broadcasting the bout in the USA.
Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) is still only 27-years-old, but after a spell as WBO champion at super welterweight, the Mexican largely took on fighters a level or so below him and has been carefully matched in the main.
A move to middleweight followed his run as champion, and he banked several, low-key and expected wins, but he was tested on his super middleweight debut, as a final round knockdown against Sergey Derevyanchenko secured a split decision win.
January 2024 saw a solid ninth round stoppage of John Ryder in Phoenix, and that paved the way for a shot at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a blockbuster Mexican derby.
Alvarez proved too strong on the night though, dropping Munguia on the way to a clear points win.
Armenian-born Canadian, Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) seems a safe bet as a comeback opponent, with his lofty ranking with the governing bodies looking good for Munguia’s credentials.
The 29-year-old has mainly competed against gatekeeper-type opposition and is coming off a draw in his last outing, a ten round stalemate against Shakeel Phinn in Montreal in May.
Prediction: Munguia and his handlers have chosen wisely with their opposition for the comeback, and I don’t envisage him having many problems dealing with Bazinyan. The tall and rangy Munguia can pick his way to a wide decision win, and unlock the door for bigger fights down the road.
Torrez Jr faces Dawejko
In an eight round heavyweight attraction, Richard Torrez Jr (10-0, 10 KOs) battles Joey Dawejko (28-11-4, 16 KOs) in what will serve as the co-main event.
Prediction: Torrez Jr can maintain his unbeaten record with a stoppage victory.
Castaneda and Perez feature
At super featherweight, Jorge Castaneda (17-3, 13 KOs) should have enough for the unbeaten 36-year-old Filipino, Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) and can take a points win over 10 rounds.
Jorge Garcia Perez (30-4, 25 KOs) is coming off a win for the IBO super welterweight title and he can halt Germany’s Ilias Essaoudi (22-2, 15 KOs) before the end of their 10 rounder.
Remaining Undercard
In eight round action, Emiliano Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) can half Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs) in their super lightweight affair.
Lightweight hope, Demler Zamora (13-0, 9 KOs) may have to settle for a points win against Gerardo Antonio Perez (12-5-1, 3 KOs), and Sebastian Hernandez Reyes (16-0, 15 KOs) may also have to go the distance against the tough Yonfrez Parejo (24-6-1, 12 KOs).
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Alan Garcia (14-0, 11 KOs) also sees action, and the lightweight should outscore Ricardo Fernandez (15-13, 1 KO), who has never been stopped.
In six round action, Steven Navarro (3-0, 2 KOs) is one to watch, and the Los Angeles super flyweight can score an early win against Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs).
At welterweight, Art Barrera Jr (6-0, 4 KOs) can handily outscore Frank Brown (3-6-2, 1 KO).
