Jaime Munguia overcame a determined challenge from previously undefeated Erik Bazinyan on Friday, knocking him out in the tenth round of their fight at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Asia.
The former WBO junior middleweight titleholder kept up the relentless pressure throughout the fight before a left hook along the ropes put the Canada-based Armenian up for the count at the 2:36 mark.
The victory comes in the first fight for Munguia (44-1, 35 knockouts) under new promoter Top Rank, and bounces back from the first loss of his career, a unanimous decision loss to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May.
However, the fight was far from a listless set-up assignment for the 27-year-old Munguia.
“It was a battle I had to do intelligently. He is strong. He hits hard. So we had to break him down and be careful with shots to the body. And in the 10th round, that’s when I decided to go all out. And that’s how we got the knockout,” said Munguia, who was ranked as no. 2 by The Ring at 168 lbs.
SHOW. STOPPER.
JAIME MUNGUIA IS BACK
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— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) September 21, 2024
Munguia started to pull away at the time of the stoppage, with the judges having him ahead 88-83, 87-84 and 86-85 at the point the fight ended. Bazinyan fared best on David Sutherland’s card, winning four of the first five rounds before losing four in a row before the knockout.
Bazinyan (29) started determinedly in the first round, successfully keeping Munguia at bay with his jab and straight right hand. Bazinyan, who respected Quebec-based trainer Marc Ramsay in his corner, maintained control of distance in the first two rounds, while Munguia tried to push the pace in the third rounds. Bazinyan regained control of the boxing match in the fourth round when he began doubling and tripling his jab, catching Munguia when he held his head too long and interrupted his rhythm.
Munguia finally turned the corner in the sixth round when he began to roll under Bazinyan’s straight punches and came in with left hooks around the guard. Bazinyan, who admitted he was outmatched whenever they were close, would try to keep his guard tight instead of trading punches. Body punches began to slow down Bazinyan, who fought in the first twelve rounds of his 11-year professional career.
Bazinyan was hurt for the first time in the seventh after a right hand, which connected as he attempted his own right uppercut, landed flush, followed by a left hook that sent him into the ropes. Bazinyan showed incredible recovery powers as he regained his footing and began looking for counter opportunities, especially with the straight right hand.
As Bazinyan’s jab began to slow, Munguia’s pressure began to wear Bazinyan down.
Munguia made more use of the role his opponent had opened up earlier in the tenth, injuring Bazinyan with a hook as he stood up. Referee Thomas Taylor advised Bazinyan that he needed to start fighting back, which he did, but his willingness to fire back opened him up for the left hook that ended the fight.
Munguia has expressed interest in facing other top fighters at 168 pounds in the future, including RING no. 1 contender Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs), a Montreal-based competitor who is co-promoted by Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger Management. Munguia also mentioned Edgar Berlanga and Caleb Plant.
“There are great battles, and we will also give great wars.”
