Undefeated former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia 41-0 (32) has a problem.
According to the 26-year-old Mexican, he has been able to secure a big name bout since moving up to middleweight three-and-a-half years and seven fights ago.
In lieu of landing a bout against the likes of Gennadiy Golovkin, Demetrius Andrade or Jermall Charlo, he has opted to take another step up in weight to face former three-time world title challenger Sergiy ‘The Technicion’ Derevyanchenko 14-4 (10) at super middleweight at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on Saturday night.
“This fight is a good fight for us and for the fans. Without a doubt, he is a great rival to measure myself against and know where I am at in the division,” Munguia said.
“Without a doubt, this is the toughest fight of my career.
“This will be a great fight, a great war. I trained really hard for this event, and this fight will be exciting with many punches and Arriba Mexico!”
Ukrainian Derevyanchenko, 37, has only lost at the highest level, going down on points to Golovkin, Charlo, Daniel Jacobs and Carlos Adames, all on points in close bouts. He is coming off a 10-round victory over Joshua Conley in his last outing in July.
“I took this fight because Munguia is a tough fighter. I wanted this fight; it’s a tough fight; I want to fight tough fighters,” Derevyanchenko said.
“I do not worry about Munguia or his team overlooking me. That is a problem for Munguia and his team; that’s their problem, not mine. I am focused on the fight, so on Saturday, we will see.”
Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, said: “There are very few shows that get us excited and I am happy to say that this is one of those fights that gets us excited, as promoters. I’m gonna say it right now: this is going to be ‘fight of the year’.
“These guys styles match up perfectly and there’s going to be non-stop action on Saturday. I want to thank Keith Connolly and team Derevyanchenko for taking this fight. I know you had other opportunities, but you said ‘no, let’s do it’.
“In reality, you know, Sergiy should be undefeated. Many can make the argument because he lost some really, really close fights against top fighters. The who’s who in boxing. So I want to commend you and thank you. (To Derevyanchenko) I know you’ll bring your A-game.
“Munguia has been knocking on the door for a big fight. A lot of the other champions are making excuses and do not want to give him an opportunity. They have other plans. But Munguia keeps grinding, he keeps grinding and he keeps winning and proving to the world that he belongs on the main stage of boxing.”
International Boxing Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions partner Bernard Hopkins added: “Do not just look at this fight as just a fight; look at it as a fight to get to the next big fight, the next level that you might want in the future or now.
“There’s a lot of talent here on this stage and I know from experience, that there are champions and legends brewing. But take it one step at a time. Throw punches, be smart, be safe, but put it all on the line because.”
Fernando Beltran, president of Zanfer Boxing, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be here in Ontario. This is a beautiful arena, Toyota Arena. We know it will be sold out because people know these two great fighters.
“Jaime is the pride of Mexico and we are very happy to promote him and be with him since the beginning of his career.
“I am very excited to see him against the great fighter, Sergiy Derevyanchenko. He’s a great fighter, and everybody knows it. Everybody wanted to see him against Munguia in a battle like this one.
“I believe this is going to be a sensational fight because our audience and all the people who are gonna be here are gonna be excited about seeing both these fighters.”
