by Marvin Ramírez
Super middleweight contender Jaime Munguía (44-2, 35 KOs) is set to step back into the ring for a highly anticipated 12-round rematch against Bruno Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) on May 3rd in Riyadh. This bout will serve as the co-feature on the undercard of the undisputed championship fight between Canelo Álvarez and William Scull.
Munguía, 28, enters the fight eager to avenge his stunning sixth-round knockout loss to Surace on December 14th of last year in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. That defeat came as a shock to many, as Munguía was the overwhelming favorite and even sent Surace to the canvas in the second round before succumbing to a decisive knockout.
The rematch was officially confirmed today after speculation had been swirling for weeks. Boxing journalist Salvador Rodríguez initially broke the news, hinting at Munguía’s intent to redeem himself. Given his status as a former WBO junior middleweight champion, Munguía has every reason to attempt to reverse his fortunes, though the challenge ahead is steep.
Choosing to face Surace again is a bold move by Munguía, but one fraught with risk. Stylistically, the two fighters appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Surace, 26, boasts exceptional hand speed and pinpoint accuracy, qualities that proved too much for the often-defensively-lax Munguía in their first encounter. If Munguía’s defense hasn’t improved significantly, the outcome may mirror their initial meeting—or end even more decisively in Surace’s favor.
A victory for Munguía would open the door to lucrative opportunities, possibly paving the way for high-profile fights against Edgar Berlanga and, perhaps, a rematch with Canelo Álvarez—though there is little public demand for the latter. But before he can dream of those matchups, he must first overcome a fighter who appears to have his number.
In hindsight, signs of danger were evident before their first meeting. Surace’s explosive stoppage of Jhon Jader Obregon had showcased his ability to generate power at the right moment, yet Munguía’s camp seemed to overlook this evolution in his opponent’s skillset. Instead of recognizing the threats posed by Surace’s sharp counterpunching, Munguía’s team appeared to underestimate him, a mistake they cannot afford to repeat.
Now, the question remains: has Munguía learned from his errors, or will history repeat itself? If he fails to make the necessary adjustments, May 3rd could spell another humbling night for the Mexican star—and another triumphant moment for the rising Surace.-
With reports by Boxing News.
