Top Rank made headlines recently by signing a co-promotional deal with former WBO Junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia. The 27-year-old Mexican boxer holds an impressive record of 43-1, with 34 knockouts. This partnership involves Top Rank working alongside Fernando Beltran, Munguia’s long-time promoter. One cannot help but wonder what this collaboration means for the future of Munguia in the boxing world.
Jaime Munguia is set to face Erik Bazinyan on September 20th, but questions linger about his potential as a boxing superstar. Munguia has shown vulnerabilities in his defense, often getting hit too much in his fights. This raises concerns about his ability to compete at the highest level without proper protection from his opponents. While Top Rank may want to groom Munguia as the next big thing in boxing, it is essential to acknowledge his limitations.
Some have likened Munguia to Edgar Berlanga, another rising star in boxing who has received careful matchmaking from Top Rank. There is a sense that Munguia may benefit from a similar strategy to avoid facing elite competition prematurely. However, the reality is that Munguia has yet to prove himself against top-tier opponents, as demonstrated by his performances against John Ryder, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, and Dennis Hogan, among others.
One cannot talk about Jaime Munguia without mentioning Canelo Alvarez, the current pound-for-pound king of boxing. Munguia’s past encounter with Canelo exposed his vulnerabilities and highlighted the gap between a good fighter and a great one. While Munguia remains highly ranked in the super middleweight division, it is doubtful that he will secure a rematch with Canelo unless he faces worthy competition like David Benavidez.
As Munguia transitions to working with Top Rank, the question remains whether this partnership will elevate his career to new heights. There are concerns that Munguia may struggle against top opponents like David Benavidez, Christian Mbilli, or Caleb Plant if he is not adequately prepared. The decision to bring back Erik Morales as his coach for the upcoming fight against Bazinyan reflects a commitment to refining his skills.
Jaime Munguia’s future in boxing hangs in the balance as he embarks on a new chapter with Top Rank. While he possesses raw talent and an impressive record, there are legitimate concerns about his ability to compete against elite competition. Top Rank’s management of Munguia’s career will play a pivotal role in determining whether he can fulfill his potential and become a true superstar in the sport. Only time will tell if Jaime Munguia can rise to the occasion and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world.