Via Sean Jones: Golden Boy CEO Eric Gomez said middleweight Jaime Munguia is interested in fighting Dmitry Bivol in 2023 and is ready to rise to 175th to make that happen.
Gomez says that 26-year-old Munguia (41-0.33 KOs) has trouble breaking through the 160 lb limit and could easily rise to 175 to challenge Bivol for his WBA light heavyweight title.
With Bivol saying he’s willing to drop to 168 for a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, he is likely to do the same for the fight with Munguia if it’s worth it.
It’s unclear how much fan interest is in the fight between Munguia and the untested ten-year professional Munguia, who has never faced anyone of note in his long career. Arguably the best Munguia has fought with so far is journeyman Gabe Rosado in 2021.
Munguia’s promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, is also interested in a Bivol match (21-0, 11 KOs) for his boxer.
“There are also a lot of people interested in doing the fight with Bivol, it was one of those fights that Jaime was very interested in. That’s what he wanted, the big fights this year,” Golden Boy chief executive Eric Gomez told GAMES GAMES GAMES GAMES.
Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, wants to pit him against WBA No. 1 Joshua Buatsi in April, which will be an internal fight for the British promoter. That war did nothing for American fans who had never seen or heard of Buatsi.
A better match for Bivol would be against Munguia because heavyweight boxing fans in the United States know him and it’s a match that will appeal to some casual people.
“One thinks it’s crazy for him [Munguía] fought at middleweight, but Jaime and Fernando Beltrán . themselves [Zanfer president] watch what they like, and Jaime is big, very strong. He has to work hard to get to 160.” Gomez said.
Munguia is HUGE for the 160 lb class, and he clearly needs to compete, at least at 168, as he looks like a light heavyweight after rehydrating his fights.
In recent skirmishes, Munguia has defeated these lacklusters:
- Gonzalo Gaston Coria
- Jimmy Kelly
- D’Mitrius Ballard
- Gabe Rosado
Aside from Bivol, Munguia wants to face Gennadiy Golovkin and Jermall Charlo in 2023. Whether either of those matches will happen is unknown.
