Former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia 42-0 (33) says he is expecting a tough fight from John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder 32-6 (18) when they meet at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.
If victorious, the 27-year-old Mexican will enter the sweepstakes for a world title shot at countryman and undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 60-2-2 (39).
Munguia was last in action in June when edged out Sergiy Derevyanchenko 14-5 (10) in a thrilling 12-round contest. A knockdown from a body shot in the final round secured Munguia the win by a single point on two of the judges’ scorecards.
The Ryder fight will be Munguia’s first with legendary trainer Freddie Roach in his corner.
“I am very happy to return to the ring, and I’m excited to be with my people from Phoenix,” said Jaime Munguia.
“We know that Ryder is a dangerous rival, but we are prepared for it. We have not stopped training and preparing. I am also very happy to have added Freddie Roach and his team to my camp. We are going to give a great night of boxing to everyone watching, and if we overcome this great test, I hope to see you all again in May. Viva Tijuana and Viva Mexico!”
In his last outing Britain’s Ryder, 35, went the distance with Mexican superstar Alvarez in a losing effort in June. Despite the fight not going his way, he made a lot of fans with his gritty effort in the face of adversity.
“I’m glad this fight has been made,” said Ryder. “I’m looking to kick 2024 off with a bang and make a statement come January 27.”
“On January 27, the next Mexican superstar of the sport will officially be crowned and his name is Jamie Munguia,” said chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Whether it’s in person or at home on DAZN, fans shouldn’t miss watching Munguia do what Canelo couldn’t, knock John Ryder out.”
“We are happy about Jaime’s return to the ring,” said CEO of Zanfer Boxing Fernando Beltran.
“We are going to show everyone that Munguia is here to fight anyone, we are going to give a great night of boxing to the people of Phoenix and the entire world. Que Viva Mexico!”
“I am delighted that we’ve been able to deliver another massive fight for John,” said Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn. “Last time out, it was Canelo in Guadalajara – assignments in boxing don’t get much more intense than that, but John handled himself superbly, delivered one of the bravest performances I’ve seen and won plenty of new fans.
“John’s reward is another fight with a brilliant Mexican fighter. Jaime is a massive talent and a future superstar of the sport, but we believe John is the biggest test of his career and we’re confident John will hand Jaime a first defeat.”
“Finally, the wait is over,” said Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN. “This is one of the biggest fights the UK will ever see.
“We knew how big the fight was going to be the first time around – the interest was off the scale – but this time it feels even bigger. DAZN wants to offer the biggest and best fights to our subscribers, and this certainly ticks those boxes, so tune in live and exclusively on DAZN.”
