Jaime Munguia did the expected on Saturday night by blowing out the hand-picked Gonzalo 'South' Coria in three rounds at the Astro Arena in Guadalajara, Mexico. There's not much to say about this contest other than it happened.
Munguia, who improved to 41-0 (31 KOs), was supposed to do this.
FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS: Jaime Munguia vs. Gonazlo Coria
Now the question is will he face somebody of note in 2023? While he's a fan-friendly fighter, and is a popular one that can sell some tickets, he is also getting the well-earned reputation as one of the most protected boxers in the sport. You half expect him to have the Secret Service walk him into the ring, or be draped in bubble wrap.
Golden Boy Promotions
You can argue that he's still a developing fighter who needs some nurturing. Well, perhaps that was true a couple of years ago as he won the WBO junior middleweight title against a blown up, Sadam Ali. But currently he is a 26 year old ex-world champion with over 40 bouts under his belt. In 2022, his level of competition actually got worse.
At what point will Zanfer and Golden Boy take the training wheels off?
DAZN
Right now, he's much closer to being Gilberto Ramirez, than Julio Cesar Chavez. But he promises big things are on the horizon.
The WBO has ordered negotiations to begin between their middleweight belt-holder, Janibek Alimkhanuly (who is promoted by Top Rank) and Munguia. The guess is that Munguia's handlers will go after some of the other marquee names at 160, instead.
"This year we couldn't do (Jermall)Charlo, but hopefully we can do it next year," stated Munguia. "But I also know that Gennadiy Golovkin has no compromises, and isn't signed with anyone. We really want to make that fight happen in May. Golovkin - see you in 2023!"
WBA
So the WBA has mandated a fight between their regular welterweight titlist, Eimantas Stanionis, and number one contender, Vergil Ortiz. If the two parties don't come together on an agreement, the WBA has stated that there will be 75-25 split in favor of Stanionis in a purse bid. Both are rated in the top six at 147 by Ring Magazine.
Stanionis is represented by the PBC, with Ortiz being promoted by Golden Boy.
The guess here is that GBP will not accept that type of split given that Ortiz is the more popular fighter. But keep this in mind, Ortiz is also rated first by the WBO, whose champion is Terence Crawford. While Crawford faces David Avanesyan on December 10 in Omaha, his mandatory will be due 18 months from his bout against Shawn Porter. That match-up took place one year ago.
Golden Boy Promotions
So at some point around May of 2023, Crawford will have to fulfill that obligation if he wants to keep that strap.
Boxing is a game of risk-vs-reward. Would a fight against Crawford be worth more than what he would get for facing Stanionis? And would his brain trust pull the trigger on that option given that Crawford would be considered the tougher puzzle to solve?
TANK
It was announced by Showtime on Friday that Gervonta Davis will face Hector Luis Garcia on January 7 at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC on a pay-per-view card that will be distributed by Showtime Sports.
So yeah, this 'stay-busy' fight before the pay-per-view event versus Ryan Garcia, will be another pay-per-view.
Regardless, Garcia is a solid guy. Back in February he dominated the previously undefeated, Chris Colbert, and then out-fought veteran Roger Gutierrez in August. He's really a junior lightweight, and he will be moving up in weight. But as far as a tune-up bout, I've seen a lot worse.
What's interesting is that this upcoming fight is being promoted by TGB Promotions, and not Mayweather Promotions. 'Tank' tweeted this over the weekend:
So is there trouble in paradise?
FINAL FLURRIES
Word is that Rashidi Ellis turned down an opportunity to face Jaron Ennis...Speaking of Ennis, it looks like he'll be on that card on January 7....Top Rank has announced that unified light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, will face Anthony Yarde on January 29 at the OVO Arena Wembley in England, which will be streamed on ESPN+.... How 'bout Caleb Williams of USC for the Heisman Trophy?....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
