Although the fight has been in negotiations on several occasions, former Mexican champion Jaime Munguia is not giving up hope of being able to close a fight against Kazakh champion Gennady Golovkin in 2023.
But first the young fighter, who is scheduled to step into the ring this weekend in Guadalaja, Mexico, will have to take on Argentine Gonzalo Coria as the headliner of a card that will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN (excluding Mexico).
"(Coria) is a lot of risk and little to gain. Obviously I'm not belittling this fighter and I'm never going to belittle anyone, I always prepare in the best way. The truth is that this (second fight in Mexico) was not foreseen. We had planned to fight John Ryder, who had just beaten [Daniel] Jacobs, in what I think was a great fight, but for one reason or another it didn't happen. We're going to try to make the best of this fight, keep learning, keep working for when the expected fight comes," said the 26-year-old fighter in an exclusive interview with DAZN.
Being ranked in the top three places in the rankings of the four main bodies (WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF), Munguia knows that a loss to Coria cannot be in the picture, as it would not only jeopardize his world title opportunity but would also tarnish his unblemished record of 40-0 with 32 knockouts.
"I have to work, we have seen that he is a southpaw opponent. We have to be very careful with the headers, work for my left side. Fights with southpaws are always complicated. It's been a while since I've fought a southpaw, so I think it's going to be a big challenge, because he's a strong fighter who likes to go for the knockout. You have to be careful.
"Yes, sometimes it's a bit frustrating when they're changing the opponent, when they're changing the date. It can be uncomfortable and demotivating, but we have to keep working. You can't stop the world, you can't close off the world because of these things. So we have to keep working, we have to keep giving and keep waiting for that opportunity.
"Yes I think so (there is still interest in Golovkin). Without a doubt the last fight he had with Canelo, GGG made it clear that he is still a great fighter, that he is still strong, that he is still valid. He gave a great fight with Canelo and I think he and I could have a great fight. Besides, he is the champion, one of the champions at 160 pounds and if it's with him I would like to fight for the world championship.
"The truth is that I couldn't tell you (who I would like to face if his first fight is not a world title fight starting in 2023) but the fighters I would like to face are Golovkin or [Jermall] Charlo at 160 pounds.
"No, the truth for me (fighting Canelo Alvarez) has never been an interest, I really admire and respect Canelo, he is a great fighter, but we are not in the same division. I have always said that if we are both in the same division and we are the best, it is a fight that has to happen, but right now we are not and we will see what happens in the future," he concluded.