Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Preview
Super-middleweights take centre stage on September 20 in Desert Diamond Arena when Erik Bazinyan faces the biggest challenge of his career so far in a clash with Jaime Munguia. The Mexican fighter enters the bout after a loss to fellow countryman Canelo Álvarez.
Bazinyan is still looking to make a splash on the world stage after a contentious split decision draw for the vacant WBA continental title in his last fight. Can Bzo overcome the odds and climb the world ranks, or will Munguia stake his claim for another shot at the world title?
Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Jaime Munguia announced himself to the world in 2018 when he defeated Sadam Ali to win the WBO light middleweight title. He made five successful defences of his belt before vacating to move up to middleweight, winning seven fights at 160lbs. The Mexican finally moved up to 168lbs, opening with an impressive win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Munguia is an aggressive, heavy-handed hitter. His power is evident with knockouts in three weight classes for a KO rate of 79.07%. The Tijuana native looks natural at 168lbs and at 27, he is only just entering his prime.
Munguia enters this fight after suffering the first loss of his career. He stepped into the ring with Canelo Álvarez on May 4 at T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada to challenge for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring super middleweight titles. Munguia battled bravely against an all-time great but ultimately fell to a unanimous decision defeat.
The challenger’s defence was weak in the early rounds, and Canelo broke through his guard consistently. The undisputed super-middleweight champion landed a flush uppercut in the fourth round, handing Munguia the first knockdown of his career. To Munguia’s credit, he stood up and fought through the rest of the fight. The 27-year-old grew into the bout and had some bright spots in the latter rounds. However, Canelo was ultimately a challenge too far and handed his countryman the first defeat of his career. That loss brought his record to 43-1.
Quebec native Erik Bazinyan has made a big name for himself in Canada, dominating the NABO, NABF and NABA super-middleweight scene. He defeated David Zegarra for the NABO super-middleweight title in June 2018. Bzo retained his belt and won the vacant NABA super middleweight title four months later when he TKOd Francy Ntetu. He has won 11 fights since then, claiming the NABF title and defending his belts in a combined 11 fights. Bazinyan is a natural 168lber with great technique and power, boasting a 71.88% knockout rate. Although he is two years older than Munguia, he gives up the experience advantage with 32 fights and a record of 31-0-1.
Bzo last stepped into the ring to face Shakeel Phinn at Montreal Casino, Montreal, Canada, to challenge for his first title outside of the North America banner. He defended his NABF belt but failed to capture the WBA Continental super middleweight title. The fight ended as a split decision draw with scorecards of 95-95, 97-93, 96-94. However, many fans criticised the decision, arguing that Phinn was the victim of a robbery.
Bazinyan struggled with the Jamaican Juggernaut’s aggression in the 10-round fight. He allowed Phinn to control the pace and push him against the ropes. The Canadian looked in trouble several times throughout the fight, although neither fighter scored a knockdown.
The tale of the tape is virtually identical between the two fighters. Munguia stands at 6’0”, giving up an inch in height to the 6’1” Canadian. Both fighters have an identical 72” reach and are natural super-middleweights. This presents a different kind of challenge for Munguia, who often has the height and reach advantage over his opponents.
Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Predictions
Jaime Munguia will not be deterred by his loss to Canelo Álvarez in his hunt for gold. The Mexican fighter knows another title shot will be in his midst with a win or two. Erik Bazinyan wants to make a name for himself and there would be no better way to do so than by claiming a victory against Munguia. A win in this fight would catapult Bzo into the world title picture. This is the most high-profile bout of his career so far. However, Bazinyan’s resume is thin. He has not fought competitors of Munguia’s standard. Munguia has the experience and power advantage. He will be too strong for Bzo, and our boxing prediction is for a Jaime Munguia victory.
Munguia’s record makes Bazinyan’s pale in comparison. He has 44 professional fights, winning 43. His only loss came against possibly the greatest Mexican boxer of all time and a man who will go down as an all-time great, Canelo Álvarez. Munguia has wins over former WBO light-middleweight champions Liam Smith and Sadam Ali and three-time world title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Bazinyan has only fought for a senior title outside of the NABA and NABF once. That was in his last fight. The Canadian entered the bout as an overwhelming favourite but could only scrape a split-draw and arguably should have lost. Munguia is leagues ahead of any competition Bazinyan has faced.
The fight could hinge on whether Munguia can land his power shots early and disrupt Bazinyan’s rhythm. Bazinyan needs to use his movement and tactics to outbox Munguia over the distance. Canelo exposed Munguia’s defence. He frequently took advantage of Munguia’s weak guard, leading to his knockdown in the fourth round. However, Bzo is not on Canelo’s level and while he is an adept counter-puncher, he does not pose the same threat that Canelo did. The Canadian struggled with Phinn’s pressure and Munguia will pose the same problem. Munguia can get his power shots out earlier in this fight on his way to victory.
Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Betting Tips
Jaime Munguia is an overwhelming favourite to win this bout. A moneyline bet on the Mexican fighter is worth -1429 with our online sportsbook. That means a $10 would return just $0.70. You would need a gargantuan wager to make any worthwhile return on this market, and we think there are better bets to make.
Munguia has an impressive knockout rate at 79.07% through 43 fights. Four of his last five victories have come via KO/TKO. However, no one has ever knocked out Bazinyan in his career. He will not be easy to get out of the ring and his stature means the Mexican can’t bully him like he can others in the division. Bzo has great technique and can avoid big hits well enough to stop himself from staring up at the lights. Jaime Munguia has the power to KO the Canadian but at -286 for a KO/TKO win, there is not much value. Bet on Munguia to win by decision, worth +275.
If you do want to back Munguia to finish his opponent, you would get better odds from round or group round betting. Five of his last six KO/TKO victories have come in rounds 1-6. You can back the Mexican fighter to win in rounds 1-6 at odds of +260 with our online sportsbook.
Boxing betting markets have Erik Bazinyan as a huge underdog at +690. If you think the Canadian can shock the world and claim the biggest victory of his career, a $10 wager would return $69. Bzo is undefeated and looks ready to make a step up in competition.
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Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Fight Outcome
Both fighters need to win this match to force themselves into contention for the world title. Erik Bazyinyan must prove he can hang with the best at 168lbs after getting away with a draw in his last bout. Munguia showed promise in moments against one of the best fighters in the world, but needs to prove he can bounce back from a loss.
The reality is Bazinyan does not have the experience against fighters of Munguia’s standing. Phinn was his biggest test to date, and he only just escaped the first loss of his career. The Mexican fighter’s ceiling looks higher than his Canadian opponent and we expect Canelo Álvarez has not seen the last of Munguia. He can begin his climb back to the top with a win over Bzo.
