Jaime Munguia vs Sergiy Derevyanchnko

Mexico’s Jaime Munguia vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko at Ontario, Ca.

By Igor Frank

What a difference five years make.

Back on May 5, 2018, a 20-year-old Jaime Munguia, a rising super welterweight contender, was set to fight middleweight king, Gennady Golovkin at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. The California State Athletic Commission opted not to sanction the fight citing that inexperienced Munguia has never fought as a middleweight.

Instead, “GGG” feasted on more experienced super welterweight, Vanes Martirosyan. That fight ended in the second stanza with a violent knock out. A week later Jaime Munguia starched Sadam Ali in the fourth round to win the WBO super welterweight title.

In retrospect California State Athletic Commission might have saved a career of a popular Mexican fighter.

Since then Munguia has been getting experience and men’s strength, but most pundits would agree that he has been threading very lightly and as of yet to face an opponent of consequence. Some believe that Jaime’s promoter Oscar De Hoya lacks confidence in his boxing skills, others cite high risk low reward ratio to face elite level opponents.

Whatever it is, that narrative is about to change. This Saturday, Jaime Munguia (41-0,33 KO’S) will face an opponent of note, Sergiy” The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4,10KO’S) at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. 12 Round super middleweight contest will be streamed live by DAZN.

So why Derevyanchenko is is an opponent of note? His record is nothing to write home mama about. Well, because while Munguia was getting valuable experience, talented Ukrainian pugilist has been fighting a who is who of the middleweight division, such as Daniel Jacobs, Jermall Charlo and Gennady Golovkin. He lost all of his big fights but they were all close and he took Golovkin to hell and back. A good number of fans and pundits believe he deserved a nod against GGG.

“Derevyanchenko is a tough fighter,” said Munguia last week during a media work out in Big Bear, California. “He is someone who has gone to the ring and gone the distance with high profile fighters. No one has been able to knock him out and I think this fight and a victory against Derevyanchenko will show everyone that I am ready for any challenge.”

Even though both men compete as middleweights, ironically this bout will be contested at the super middleweight limit. Don’t ask me to explain it. I can’t. Maybe both combatants decided to forgo weight restrictions or next day weigh in limits and sanctioning fees and just to challenge on another in the ring and too see what happens when the dust settles.

“We are confident that Jaime Munguia will deliver on a magnificent fight for fans this Saturday,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya during media work out.

This fight is expected to produce nonstop action, so clear your Saturday night and tune in  to live broadcast on DAZN or better yet go down to Ontario and see it live at a great new venue for boxing at the Toyota Arena.