Jaime Munguia Confirmed To Fight Erik Bazinyan In Super-Middleweight Bout
Jaime Munguia will aim to bounce back from his first professional defeat when he takes on the unbeaten Erik Bazinyan in a super-middleweight non-title bout on September 21.
Munguia (43-1-0 34 KO) and Bazinyan (32-0-1 23 KO) will fight at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The Mexican will hope a victory can lead to another world title opportunity, while for Canada’s Bazinyan, a win would mark the biggest achievement of his career so far.
Munguia will enter the ring following his first loss when he was beaten on points by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in their undisputed super-middleweight world title fight in May.
“I can’t wait to return to Arizona against an undefeated and motivated Erik Bazinyan,” Munguia, 27, said. “I fight for the fans and look forward to giving them a great show.”
It will be the third fight of the year for former super-welterweight world champion Munguia, who began 2024 by becoming only the second fighter to stop John Ryder and ultimately sending the British boxer into retirement.
The Mexican from Tijuana held the WBO’s 154lbs world title for 16 months between May 2018 and September 2019, before stepping up to middleweight and then super-middleweight.
“Jaime Munguia has emerged as one of Mexico’s elite fighters. We are thrilled to showcase his telegenic, action-packed style to sports fans around the world,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “Erik Bazinyan has been on Jaime’s radar for several years, and Jaime knows he must be at the top of his game.”
Armenia-born Canadian Bazinyan has put together a lengthy unbeaten run since turning professional 11 years ago and has made 10 successful defenses of the North American Boxing Federation super-middleweight title since first winning it in June 2018.
However, he has fought almost entirely in Canada – his bout with Munguia will be only his second in the United States – and he’s yet to face anyone of the Mexican’s caliber. He enters September’s bout following the first non-victory of his career when he was held to a split-decision draw by Shakeel Phinn in May.
“It’s the perfect timing to shock the world,” Bazinyan, 29, said. “I’ve worked my entire career for this moment, and I know I’ve got everything it takes to beat Jaime Munguia.”
Their bout will be held on the same day, but much later, as the IBF heavyweight world title fight between champion Daniel Dubois and challenger Anthony Joshua, which takes place at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
