Jaime Munguia Survives Nikita Zon Scare to Retain WBA Super Middleweight Title
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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Jaime Munguia survived the most dangerous moments of his first WBA super middleweight title defense Saturday, outlasting unbeaten challenger Nikita Zon to earn a unanimous decision on the Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli undercard.
Munguia won by scores of 116-112 and 117-111 twice, but the numbers do not fully reflect the drama. Zon badly hurt the Mexican champion during a wild sixth round, catching Munguia with a counter left uppercut and right hook as the fight briefly appeared close to a stoppage. Munguia weathered the attack, returned to his body punching and gradually took over as Zon slowed during the second half.
The victory moves Munguia to 47-2 with 35 knockouts and gives him a successful first defense of the WBA belt he won earlier this year. Munguia admitted afterward that he made mistakes and rated his own performance only a six or seven out of 10. That self-assessment may be the most important takeaway: he kept his championship, but the defensive openings Zon exposed will matter if Munguia moves toward another elite-level fight at 168 pounds.
