WBO junior middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia (33-0, 26 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico returns to the ring next month as he takes on Patrick Allotey (40-3, 30 KOs) of Ghana. Munguia squares off against Allotey on Saturday, September 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California live on DAZN.
“This will be a good fight. Allotey has a great style. This is a very worthy fight for September 14th,” Jaime Munguia told SouthernCaliforniaBoxing.com
After Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez conceded the big fight weekend things opened up for Munguia to headline. Now the 22 year old will be headlining on a big fight weekend as he will be fighting on Mexican Independence weekend.
"I feel very happy to be the main event for this Mexican Independence Day fight. It's going to be a great day for boxing and a great day for Mexico,” Munguia on fighting Mexican Independence weekend. “I got the opportunity to headline and I’m just grateful,”
Munguia will be defending his title he won last year over Sadam Ali as this will be his fifth title defense. Successfully defending the title four times with a hard fought unanimous decision over Liam Smith of England and wrapped up the 2018 year with a brutal knockout over Brandon Cook.
"Last year was a great year. Winning the title opened the doors to everything," Munguia said.
The champ began the year winning a unanimous decision over Japan’s Takeshi Inoue in what was a tough battle and in his last fight in April, Munguia squeaked out a majority decision over Dennis Hogan of Ireland in Monterrey, Mexico in which many felt that the Mexican was given the home turf decision.
“Every fight is a learning experience. I’ll admit, it got complicated, I didn’t look good in that fight it wasn’t the best performance. I would love to give Dennis Hogan a rematch but it’s a question of having the promoters agree to it,”
After trying out and training under respected trainer Robert Alcazar in Southern California, Munguia and Alcazar parted ways. Now Munguia is training back in his hometown of Tijuana and being trained by Tijuana’s greatest boxer of all times, Mexican legend Erik Morales.
“I've been learning with my new trainer Erick Morales. He has taught me a lot because he has the experience of fighting in championship fights,” Munguia on training with Morales. “The difference training with Erik and Robert it’s just the advice Erik gives me,” Munguia added.
"I'm very grateful to be working with Munguia. He's a great fighter and a young fighter with a lot of desire to show. It reminds me of when I was younger. He has been improving over our last two months of working together. We are showing him and guiding him," Erik Morales on training Jaime Munguia.
When asked about Morales legacy, the champ replied.
“I’m going to be honest I was a little boy when he was in his prime but he is the greatest fighter to come out of Tijuana and one of Mexico’s best,”
Now the two champions will prepare for the challenge ahead.
"I'm ready to show what I've learned from Erik," Munguia said.
"I assure you that the Munguia you know will be different, but will also deliver the same explosive style he has," Erik Morales said.
His Ghanaian opponent Allotey is coming off a decision over Sherif Kasongo and comes into this fight winning six straight since his last defeat. His three defeats come at the hands of current undefeated Kanat Islam, the once beaten Patrick Texeira and Charles Manyuchi. Allotey has scored 30 knockouts in his 40 wins.
"We know that Allotey is strong, fast and has a lot of knockouts. He has good abilities. He uses his distance uses the jab and the big overhand right. We will have to be very careful about that,” Munguia said about his opponent Allotey.
Since winning the title there has been some urgency for Munguia to take on all comers and champions. Munguia has expressed his desire to unify at 154. However it is more likely that a move up to the 160 pound middleweight division is the more probable outcome.
“I would love to unify but it’s likely my last fight at 154 and then move up to 160,” Munguia said.
This fight will mark Munguia's debut at the Dignity Health Sports Park. The venue formerly known as the Home Depot and Stub Hub Center which has hosted many great memorable fights. Munguia looks to do his part in making a statement.
“I'll be looking to give a great show, and I'll look for the knockout on September 14,"
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla