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Boxing

Jaime Munguia on a stacked middleweight division - 'There are big challenges'

Erika Montoya
Jaime Munguia on a stacked middleweight division - 'There are big challenges'Zanfer
Former Mexican champion Jaime Munguia acknowledged that he has not yet reached his peak, but hopes to achieve it now as a middleweight.

After his stint in the super welterweight division, where he made five defences of the WBO title, the 25-year-old Tijuana native decided to vacate the title in an attempt to conquer the middleweight division.  

But before he can think about a world title fight, he will first have to get rid of undefeated fighter D'Mitrius Ballard, who he will face this weekend in Tijuana in a show that will be televised worldwide by DAZN (except in Mexico, where it will be broadcast by TV Azteca).

"I think I can be more dominant in this new division and in a couple of years I could move up to super middleweight, and I don't even have a problem at 168. Even up to 175 I don't think I'll have any problems," Munguia said in an interview with DAZN News.

One of Mexican boxing's youngest stars said he feels very motivated when it comes to what the future holds, because with names such as Jermall Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, Gennady Golovkin, Ryota Murata or Daniel Jacobs still active at middleweight, Munguia has a range of options when it comes to making a fight with a 'big' name. 

"The middleweight division is a very competitive division right now. There are great fighters. The fact that it's so competitive excites me. There are big challenges," he added.

At 25 years of age, Munguía assured that this learning process hasn't stopped and with the help of a trainer like former champion Erik Morales, he will continue to progress his boxing ability. 

"Erik was a great fighter and achieved many things, but he has been able to transmit a lot of knowledge to me, he has helped me to establish my skills and I know that we will continue to grow. He has been a fundamental piece," he explained.

One of Munguía's biggest motivations for moving forward is his strong links with a rabid fanbase. 

"That connection is very nice and I think it's because of the way I fight. Thank God the people love me and that is a great source of pride for me."

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