Two of the top super middleweights will face off on Friday when Jaime Munguia meets the undefeated Erik Bazinyan in a 168-pound contest at Desert Diamond Arena. Munguia, coming off the first loss of his professional career—a unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in May—looks to bounce back.
Bazinyan, meanwhile, is coming off the only blemish of his career, a draw against Shakeel Phinn in May. Here’s a breakdown of both fighters ahead of this highly anticipated super middleweight bout.
Fight Info:
- Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Jaime Munguia -1500 (43-1, 34 KOs)
27-year-old fighter Jaime Munguia is a former WBO light middleweight champion and was last seen securing a TKO victory over John Ryder in January before his loss to Alvarez. Despite the setback, Munguia remains a highly-regarded contender due to his resilience and skill set.
Munguia’s fighting style is characterized by relentless pressure and power. He consistently moves forward, throwing punches with knockout intentions. Over the years, he has become a more refined boxer, improving his footwork, speed, and overall fight IQ.
While Munguia used to rely heavily on brute force, he now mixes boxing skills with his aggressive style. After his loss to Alvarez, this fight will show whether he’s learned from that experience and can continue his rise in the division.
Erik Bazinyan -115 (32-0-1, 23 KOs)
Erik Bazinyan is an undefeated 29-year-old who retained his NABF super middleweight title with a TKO win over Billi Facundo Godoy in January. However, his most recent bout, a draw against Shakeel Phinn, left some questions about his readiness for top-tier competition.
Bazinyan has a strong skill set with power and accuracy, especially when throwing combinations. He often pressures his opponents, but his tendency to headhunt and overthrow punches can leave him vulnerable to counters. His defense can be questionable at times, and he’ll need to tighten that up against an aggressive fighter like Munguia. For Bazinyan, controlling the fight with his jab will be crucial in this matchup, as it could help him dictate the pace and keep Munguia at bay.
Best Bets for Jaime Munguia vs. Erik Bazinyan
The Total at BetOnline is currently o/u 8.5 @ -115.
Munguia is expected to dominate the fight with his higher output, relentless pressure, and ability to control the pace.
Given Bazinyan’s occasional defensive lapses and Munguia’s power, the betting pick is for Munguia to win by knockout in the second half of the bout.