Jaime Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs) and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, have drawn up a three-fighter shortlist for Munguia’s next bout, following his upcoming 10-round headliner fight against Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) on June 10th at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Munguia, a 26-year-old undefeated boxer, is not underestimating Derevyanchenko, who at 37, might still pull off an upset.
The shortlist, featuring big names in boxing - Gennadiy Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, and David Benavidez - signals Munguia’s ambition. Despite previous criticism for turning down world title shots, Munguia seems to be eyeing a high-profile fight. However, the elusive fights against boxing superstars Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez have never materialized. The preference lies heavily on Golovkin and Charlo, with De La Hoya considering those as winnable fights for Munguia.
De La Hoya is enthusiastic about a potential matchup between Munguia and Charlo, “We want that fight against [Jermall] Charlo. If that can’t happen, Munguia will fight Golovkin or David Benavidez,” he said. However, there is caution in the air concerning a bout with 41-year-old Golovkin. Golovkin’s future in the ring remains uncertain, and the chance of him engaging in a fight with Munguia, who is yet to become a household name, appears unlikely.
Nevertheless, De La Hoya remains optimistic about Munguia's prospects, “Jaime is a fan favorite. He always puts on a great show, and he wants to fight against the very best,” he stated. In the case of a clash against David Benavidez, De La Hoya confirmed Munguia’s readiness to move up to the 168-pound division. “Jaime Munguia, when you stand next to him, he’s a big kid. He can carry 168 with no problem. I’ve spoken to Benavidez, and I remember sitting down with him,” De La Hoya recalled. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the fighters, their teams, and, of course, the ever-persistent dynamics of the boxing world.
Image Credit: DAZN