Jaime Munguia: “We Need To Be Very Careful with Erik Bazinyan!”
Munguia will return against unbeaten contender Erik Bazinyan in the 12-round main event on Friday, Sept. 20, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Las Vegas-born standout Andres Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) will take on Filipino Olympian Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) in a battle of undefeated contenders.
The eight-round televised opener will see rising junior welterweight Emiliano Fernando Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) step up in class versus upset-minded Irishman Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs).
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. (https://TopRank.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa1ae9f9e3c18dcf7df10dda1&id=1fb92fe206&e=ae69d13328)
Munguia-Bazinyan, Cortes-Suarez, and Vargas-Fryers will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m.
Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) began his busy 2024 in January with a stoppage victory over former title challenger John Ryder in Phoenix. Less than four months later, he faced Canelo Alvarez, getting up from a fourth-round knockdown before losing by unanimous decision in a bid for the undisputed crown. Following this two-fight stint with Freddie Roach, Munguia is back training under Mexican four-division world champion Erik Morales, with co-trainer Fernando Fernandez and former welterweight world champion Jose Luis Lopez also in his corner. Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs), an Armenian-born puncher with victories over Ronald Ellis and Alantez Fox, returns following May’s split draw against Shakeel Phinn in May.
Following a recent training session in Big Bear, California, this is what Munguia had to say:
“I believe I’m entering my prime. There’s still much to learn and many things to improve. But I feel like I’m entering a great time in my career.”
“I feel good at 168 pounds. I have adjusted very well. I feel very good making weight, and I have no problem. Making 160 and 154 took a lot of work for me. Right now, I’m doing well. The goal right now is to become world champion again but at 168 pounds.”
“I’m very excited to return to Arizona. When I fought there in January, the people gave me a warm welcome. We had a full house in Phoenix. So, I’m excited to go back.”
“Erik Bazyinan is a good fighter. He’s undefeated. He switches stances. We need to be careful with that. He’s taller and has a longer reach than me. He has a good jab. He can punch well on the inside. He’s a fighter who comes with all the desire to excel.”
