Boxing
Exclusive: Munguia wants to return before end of the year
Moses vs Hrgovic: Watch on DAZN PPV - Saturday
He is one of the faces of Mexican boxing. At 29 years old, Jaime Munguia won the WBA super middleweight title after his victory over Armando Resendiz last May.
The Mexican fighter, who trains under Eddy Reynoso, is ready to make his return, and DAZN News spoke with him while he was in training.
DAZN News: How does it feel to be a champion?
Jaime Munguia: Everything is good; working hard every day. Honestly, I say, I feel very happy and very pleased to be a world champion. It’s a great responsibility, but I’m very happy.
DN: When are you going to fight next?
JM: We’re in talks to finalize the last details and return for the event headlined by Saúl (Canelo Alvarez) in Saudi Arabia; it’ll be an honor to be part of ‘Mexico vs the World.’
DN: Against whom?
JM: The opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet; several names have been mentioned, and we’re ready for whoever it is - we know there are no easy opponents.
DN: Do you have a name in your head?
JM: Well, I mean, right now, no, I don’t have anyone in mind, but of course I would like to face the champions who are currently in the division and be able to unify the titles.
DN: What is it like to train with Eddy Reynoso?
JM: It’s a great working environment; I'm very happy to be with Eddy’s team. And honestly, well, I feel very happy to be there with him.
DN: How have you worked with Eddy?
JM: Well, I mean, honestly, I'm very grateful to Eddy for opening the doors of his home, of his gym, to us and being able to work with him. The truth is that we feel very happy. He’s a great person, and a great trainer, and as I tell you, we’re happy to be with him.
DN: How did you manage to bounce back after two defeats against Canelo and Bruno Surace?
JM: Well, keep moving forward, not give up. I knew 100% that my fight, more than anything against Bruno Surace, I mean, had been a lapse because I was winning the entire fight. So it had been a lapse, and we didn’t give up and kept moving forward. So I think that I was going through many things in my personal life and also in my life as an athlete, as a high-performance athlete. So, simply, not giving up and continuing forward.
DN: How can you explain how Eddy attracted so many champions?
JM: Well, I think he’s a very dedicated person, a person who loves what he does, who loves being in the gym, who likes teaching his fighters, who likes, well, simply being in the gym. I think that you must have a certain vocation, a certain passion for being there all day in the gym. I see that he arrives at 7 or 8 in the morning and leaves at 6 or 7 at night. I mean, without any need whatsoever because his life is already settled, but it’s something that calls to him, something he likes, and something he loves.
DN: Do you think you’re at your highest level, or is there still room for improvement for you?
JM: I feel that there is always, always room to improve and always, always room to move forward.
DN: How is the the life of a champion?
JM: Honestly, for example, it’s very motivating right now, for example, the whole team that Eddy is putting together, having Canelo in the gym, having, well, Rafael Divino Espinoza, having Pitbull, having Marco Verde. I mean, having all the champions there is undoubtedly a great motivation.
DN: A few words about Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, who now trains with you.
JM: That’s what I’m telling you; it’s motivating, right, to see all these warriors, these champions who are there in the gym working hard. As I tell you, it’s a great motivation, and I'm happy that Pitbull has joined the team.
DN: Who was your toughest fight? Was it with Canelo?
JM: Of course, it was a fight that really challenged me both athletically and personally, and it helped me grow a lot. I’d also say the fight against [Sergiy] Derevyanchenko.
DN: One-on-one against Bruno Surace. Can we have a trilogy?
JM: I don’t think so; I mean, I don’t think that will happen. And yes, I think we already got past that, well, that test, and now we have to keep moving forward.
DN: How was Canelo after his fight against Crawford? In the gym, has it changed him or not?
JM: No, I see him well, I see him motivated; I see him with the desire to keep working and to keep moving forward and keep winning.
DN: What did you think of that fight?
JM: I’d add that Saul is a great champion, and I’m sure he’ll come back even stronger!
DN: How is Canelo the boxer?
JM: What I see every day is that he never misses the gym. He’s a very consistent person, a person who works hard every day, who doesn’t come to be that guy; he comes to work and comes to do what he came for.
DN: What does it mean for Mexico to have many champions?
JM: For Mexico, well, I mean, it is undoubtedly a great satisfaction. I think boxing has given great, great satisfactions and great champions to Mexico. So we’re going to keep moving forward, keep working hard, and keep raising Mexico’s profile.
Moses vs. Hrgovic - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Moses Itauma attempt to become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night, only on DAZN.
Buy as a one-off PPV or included along with Garcia vs. Benn (Sept 12, UK only) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
