Bruno Surace’s stunning knockout victory over Jaime Munguia in Tijuana has instantly catapulted the once unheralded Frenchman to boxing’s center stage. Surace, who entered the bout as a massive underdog, flattened the renowned super middleweight star with a single, shocking right hand in the sixth round. The win not only hands Munguia just his second professional loss - alongside a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez - but it’s also poised to earn Surace “Upset of the Year” honors.
Surace, 26, had previously recorded only five stoppages in 26 wins, making the emphatic finish even more extraordinary. He overcame a knockdown in round two and deficits on the scorecards to score what he called "an incredible night," witnessed by Mexico’s boxing royalty, including Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. Surace's performance defied all expectations and affirmed his unwavering belief in his ability to turn a single punch into a life-changing moment.
Watch Surace vs. Munguia highlights: Watch
Before the fight, Surace was seen as a mere stepping stone for Munguia, who had planned a busy schedule ahead, including a potential WBC eliminator against Christian Mbilli. Instead, Surace shattered those future plans with a single right hand, leaving pundits scouring boxing history for similarly monumental upsets. While Surace has indicated he’d prefer to compete at middleweight moving forward, the sudden flood of big-name opportunities at super middle could prove too lucrative to pass up.
In the aftermath, talk of a potential rematch surfaced, but Surace has options now - a luxury he lacked before the fight. He’s even openly entertained the idea of facing Canelo Alvarez, the sport's biggest star.
For the moment, Surace will return to France, savor the holidays with family, and let the world absorb the magnitude of what he accomplished. As "Upset of the Year" lists roll out, Surace’s name will sit at the top, a testament to the night he delivered one of boxing’s most unforgettable shocks.
Image Credit: Top Rank