Reportedly, Jaime Munguia will get a chance at redemption on April 12 in Tijuana, Mexico, when he might face Bruno Surace in a rematch of their December clash. Surace stunned Munguia by scoring a sixth-round knockout, handing the popular Mexican star his second career loss and calling into question his status as a legitimate contender at middleweight.
If Munguia loses again, many believe it will be the end of his run as a serious threat. He’s already been criticized for facing mostly soft opposition until he landed a major payday fight with Canelo Alvarez last year. While some considered that fight a mismatch, Surace’s upset stoppage suggests Munguia’s weaknesses may have been masked by careful matchmaking. Now, another defeat could enhance perceptions that he was an overhyped product, never truly tested until too late.
In their first fight, Munguia dropped Surace in round two but got reckless, reportedly trying to impress the hometown crowd. Surace capitalized with a right hand in the sixth, putting Munguia down for good. The home-court advantage didn’t help Munguia then, and it remains to be seen whether fighting again in Tijuana will give him enough lift - or if Surace simply has his number.
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