JAIME MUNGUIA STEPS IN TO CHALLENGE SADAM ‘WORLD KID’ ALI FOR WBO JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

Published by Shawn C.

VERONA, N.Y. (April 30, 2018): *Jaime Munguia *(28-0, 24 KOs), the
dangerous undefeated 154-pound contender of Tijuana, Baja California,
Mexico, will step in to challenge *Sadam “World Kid” Ali *(26-1, 14 KOs) of
Brooklyn, N.Y. in a 12-round battle for the WBO Junior Middleweight World
Title on May 12 at *Turning Stone Resort Casino* in Verona, N.Y. The
co-main event will feature *Rey Vargas *(31-0, 22 KOs) and *Azat “Crazy A”
Hovhannisyan* (14-2, 11 KOs) in a 12-round clash for the WBC Super
Bantamweight World Title.The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO
World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Munguia will replace *Liam “Beefy” Smith*, who was forced to pull out of
the fight against Ali due to an illness. This dangerous 21-year-old puncher
has ended 24 of his fights by stunning knockout and will look to take
advantage of his first world title opportunity as he returns to the United
States for only the second time in his career.

“I want to thank everyone involved, but above all I thank Sadam Ali for the
opportunity,” said *Jaime Munguia*. “Though all the criticisms made about
me have motivated me to be where I am, I will show that they were all
wrong. I will crown myself as world champion on May 12.”

Ali, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, was unfazed by the change. The 29-year-old
champion silenced all doubters by defeating *Miguel Cotto *via unanimous
decision in Dec. 2017 to win the title he currently holds. Ali will look to
defend his title in a dangerous battle against a young contender.

“I’m determined to defend my title for the first time on May 12,” said *Sadam
Ali. *”It doesn’t matter who, and it doesn’t matter how. Jaime Munguia will
have the opportunity of a lifetime when he fights me, but I’m walking away
with my hand up in victory and the belt around my waist.”

*Ali vs. Munguia* is a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight World
Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer
Promotions. *Vargas vs. Hovhannisyan *is a 12-round battle for the WBC
Super Bantamweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions
in association with Promociones del Pueblo. The event is sponsored
by Tecate, “*THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING*” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The
event takes place Saturday, May 12 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in
Verona, New York. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. ET, and the first fight
begins at 6:30
p.m. ET. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship
Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Host of the May 12 event, Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Forbes Four-Star
Award-winning destination resort, which continues to distinguish itself as
a premier venue for fight-of-the-year level boxing. The May event will mark
Turning Stone’s 25th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the
resort as a leading destination for nationally-televised combat sports.
Turning Stone features world-class amenities including four hotels, more
than 20 signature restaurants and dining options, two spas, an all-new
125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom,
a 5,000-seat arena, five golf courses, several bars, cocktail lounges and
nightlife venues with live entertainment every weekend.

Tickets for this highly anticipated matchup are on sale and are available
from $95 and $75 for ringside seats and all others priced at $55 and $45,
plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased at the Turning Stone
Resort Box Office in person or by calling 315-361-7469 or online at
Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com
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