Tag: D’Mitrius Ballard

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after his sensational knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DAZN.com.

There’s some decisions for Jaime Munguia to make.

On Saturday evening, Jaime Munguia continued his winning ways, plowing through D’Mitrius Ballard to win by third-round TKO from Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. The win runs Munguia’s record to 5-0 since going up to middleweight at the beginning of 2020 and 39-0 overall, with 31 of those wins by way of knockout.

With Ballard in his rearview mirror, Munguia has plenty of options for his next fight. He’s the No. 1 contender by the WBC and the WBO. So is that route the 25-year-old will take, or does Munguia choose to look elsewhere?

DAZN News examines who could be next in line for the Mexican star.

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

While the calls have been made for Munguia to face a top-flight name, this is the most likely scenario for him. In talking with DAZN News before the Ballard fight, Munguia said he wants to fight for a world title in late spring or early summer.

“I’m definitely aiming for a world title fight later this year, hopefully in the summer. Early May is my goal,” Munguia said.

Current WBO titlist Demetrius Andrade has been rumored to be moving up to super middleweight against Zach Parker, which leaves the 160-pound belt up for grabs.

Munguia and Alimkhanuly are the top contenders, so they would meet to determine a new champion. It gives Munguia the title opportunity he’s looking for, and it’s a legitimate fight. Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO win over former champion Hassan N’Dam.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

If Andrade ends up not moving up in weight, this is the path Munguia should take.

Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) quieted the naysayers when he steamrolled past Jason Quigley in November to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Like Munguia, Andrade’s been targeted for not facing top-flight competition. But that isn’t his doing as “Boo Boo” has continuously had the door slammed in his face by Jermall Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Canelo Alvarez.

The Mexican star’s performances have shown it’s time for the kid gloves to be taken off and let him start swimming with the sharks. Andrade is the perfect guy for the job as he’s champing at the bit for a significant name, and Munguia is that foe.

GENNADIY GOLOVKIN

There were talks of this fight happening in 2018, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Munguia as an opponent due to what they felt was his lack of experience. So much has changed in the last three years for both guys. But now, it’s something that has entered Munguia’s conscience, and it’s one he desperately wants.

“If it was my choice, I would really like to fight Gennadiy Golovkin or the winner of Golovkin vs. [Ryoto] Murata,”

Before talks could even be broached, Golovkin, the IBF titlist, will face WBA titleholder Ryota Murata. It is unknown when that fight will take place. If Triple-G takes care of business and holds two pieces of 160-pound hardware, who wouldn’t want to see a clash between the two hardest punchers in the division?

Of course, the fight the fans want is Canelo-Golovkin III. But if that can’t get made, why not Golovkin-Munguia?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after his sensational knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DAZN.com.

There’s some decisions for Jaime Munguia to make.

On Saturday evening, Jaime Munguia continued his winning ways, plowing through D’Mitrius Ballard to win by third-round TKO from Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. The win runs Munguia’s record to 5-0 since going up to middleweight at the beginning of 2020 and 39-0 overall, with 31 of those wins by way of knockout.

With Ballard in his rearview mirror, Munguia has plenty of options for his next fight. He’s the No. 1 contender by the WBC and the WBO. So is that route the 25-year-old will take, or does Munguia choose to look elsewhere?

DAZN News examines who could be next in line for the Mexican star.

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

While the calls have been made for Munguia to face a top-flight name, this is the most likely scenario for him. In talking with DAZN News before the Ballard fight, Munguia said he wants to fight for a world title in late spring or early summer.

“I’m definitely aiming for a world title fight later this year, hopefully in the summer. Early May is my goal,” Munguia said.

Current WBO titlist Demetrius Andrade has been rumored to be moving up to super middleweight against Zach Parker, which leaves the 160-pound belt up for grabs.

Munguia and Alimkhanuly are the top contenders, so they would meet to determine a new champion. It gives Munguia the title opportunity he’s looking for, and it’s a legitimate fight. Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO win over former champion Hassan N’Dam.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

If Andrade ends up not moving up in weight, this is the path Munguia should take.

Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) quieted the naysayers when he steamrolled past Jason Quigley in November to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Like Munguia, Andrade’s been targeted for not facing top-flight competition. But that isn’t his doing as “Boo Boo” has continuously had the door slammed in his face by Jermall Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Canelo Alvarez.

The Mexican star’s performances have shown it’s time for the kid gloves to be taken off and let him start swimming with the sharks. Andrade is the perfect guy for the job as he’s champing at the bit for a significant name, and Munguia is that foe.

GENNADIY GOLOVKIN

There were talks of this fight happening in 2018, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Munguia as an opponent due to what they felt was his lack of experience. So much has changed in the last three years for both guys. But now, it’s something that has entered Munguia’s conscience, and it’s one he desperately wants.

“If it was my choice, I would really like to fight Gennadiy Golovkin or the winner of Golovkin vs. [Ryoto] Murata,”

Before talks could even be broached, Golovkin, the IBF titlist, will face WBA titleholder Ryota Murata. It is unknown when that fight will take place. If Triple-G takes care of business and holds two pieces of 160-pound hardware, who wouldn’t want to see a clash between the two hardest punchers in the division?

Of course, the fight the fans want is Canelo-Golovkin III. But if that can’t get made, why not Golovkin-Munguia?

Jaime Munguia puts D’Mitrius Ballard away in third round

Jaime Munguia put D’Mitrius Ballard away in the third round Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico.

Jaime Munguia made the hometown fans happy.

The middleweight contender knocked out D’Mitrius Ballard in the third round to remain unbeaten and bolster his case that he deserves a shot at a major 160-pound title in Tijuana, Mexico.

The fight was competitive for two rounds, as Munguia took time to size up his capable, experienced opponent. Then, the moment Ballard seemed vulnerable, he turned up the heat.

That came in Round 3, when Munguia (39-0, 31 KOs) began to unload hard punches at a high rate. One of those shots — a left hook to the chin — hurt Ballard (21-1-1, 13 KOs) and led to his demise.

Mungia followed with a flurry of shots that put Ballard on his face. The American was able to get up but he immediately absorbed another barrage of unanswered punches, which led referee Juan Jose Ramirez to stop the fight.

The official time was 1:47 of Round 3.

“The plan was to get into the center of the ring and see what he wanted to do,” Munguia said through a translator afterward. “As soon as I saw that he was going to be backing up, that’s when I decided to move forward.

“That’s why [before] the third round, [trainer] Erik Morales told me to really push forward, to push him back.”

Munguia was fighting in his hometown for the first time since 2017. However, it was the first time he fought at Plaza Monumental, the arena he used to attend as a child.

That seemed to mean as much to him as the victory.

“I realized that dreams really come true,” he said. “I was remembering as a little boy sitting on top there watching Julio Cesar Chavez fight. I said then that I was going to do that.”

Munguia, a former 154-pound titleholder, is 5-0 at 160 and ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies — No. 1 by the WBC and WBO, No. 2 by the WBA.

A showdown with Demetrius Andrade (the WBO champ) might be the most likely because they’re both affiliated with DAZN. However, he’s not picky. He’d be just as happy to fight Jermall Charlo (WBC) or Gennadiy Golovkin (IBF).

“We’re ready for those elite shots,” he said. “We’re ready for the best fighters. Whoever comes.”

Jaime Munguia puts D’Mitrius Ballard away in third round

Jaime Munguia put D’Mitrius Ballard away in the third round Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico.

Jaime Munguia made the hometown fans happy.

The middleweight contender knocked out D’Mitrius Ballard in the third round to remain unbeaten and bolster his case that he deserves a shot at a major 160-pound title in Tijuana, Mexico.

The fight was competitive for two rounds, as Munguia took time to size up his capable, experienced opponent. Then, the moment Ballard seemed vulnerable, he turned up the heat.

That came in Round 3, when Munguia (39-0, 31 KOs) began to unload hard punches at a high rate. One of those shots — a left hook to the chin — hurt Ballard (21-1-1, 13 KOs) and led to his demise.

Mungia followed with a flurry of shots that put Ballard on his face. The American was able to get up but he immediately absorbed another barrage of unanswered punches, which led referee Juan Jose Ramirez to stop the fight.

The official time was 1:47 of Round 3.

“The plan was to get into the center of the ring and see what he wanted to do,” Munguia said through a translator afterward. “As soon as I saw that he was going to be backing up, that’s when I decided to move forward.

“That’s why [before] the third round, [trainer] Erik Morales told me to really push forward, to push him back.”

Munguia was fighting in his hometown for the first time since 2017. However, it was the first time he fought at Plaza Monumental, the arena he used to attend as a child.

That seemed to mean as much to him as the victory.

“I realized that dreams really come true,” he said. “I was remembering as a little boy sitting on top there watching Julio Cesar Chavez fight. I said then that I was going to do that.”

Munguia, a former 154-pound titleholder, is 5-0 at 160 and ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies — No. 1 by the WBC and WBO, No. 2 by the WBA.

A showdown with Demetrius Andrade (the WBO champ) might be the most likely because they’re both affiliated with DAZN. However, he’s not picky. He’d be just as happy to fight Jermall Charlo (WBC) or Gennadiy Golovkin (IBF).

“We’re ready for those elite shots,” he said. “We’re ready for the best fighters. Whoever comes.”

5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?

5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?

The best active Mexican fighter is Canelo Alvarez, who tops many pound-for-pound lists. No one can question the superstar’s place among his countrymen.

But who is next best? And who would round out the Top 5? And is Jaime Munguia, who fights D’Mitrius Ballard Saturday, on the list?

Those questions aren’t easy to answer given the depth of talent south of the U.S. border, where only soccer is more popular than the sweet science. Mexico probably produces more elite fighters than any country other than the U.S.

Still, in this special feature, Boxing Junkie has endeavored to give you the best five fighters from Mexico and a list of the next five.

So here we go (in reverse order).

5. Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs)

The former junior middleweight champ has to be on the list. The 25-year-old native of Tijuana has always had pop in his punches, as his knockout percentage indicates. He’s also evolving as a boxer, which isn’t good news for his middleweight rivals. And while he doesn’t have a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, he is building a solid list of victims. He has already beaten Sadam Ali (to win his title), Liam Smith, Tureano Johnson, Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado even though he’s really just getting started. The jury is still out on what Munguia can accomplish but he seems to have the tools to succeed on the highest level. And he should continue to get better with experience.

4. Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs)

Is Santa Cruz declining? That’s a reasonable question. He’s 33, an age when some fighters begin to fade. And he was brutally knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his penultimate fight, which put a instantaneous halt to any momentum he had. However, it might be too soon to write him off. First, his resume is impressive. He has won titles in four divisions and beaten a long list of elite opponents along the way. He bounced back from the Davis setback to shut out Keenan Carbajal on Feb. 5, which was a sign of life. And he plans to move back down to 126, where he should be particularly strong if he can make the weight comfortably. Let’s hold off writing his boxing obituary.

3. Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs)

The dynamic boxer-puncher from Sonora claimed his career-defining victory by outboxing and then knocking out the feared Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds to win a 130-pound title in February of last year, which lifted him to a new level of respect. Before that, he held a major 126-pound title for more than three years. Valdez’s reputation took a hit when he tested positive for a banned substance yet was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September but there is no denying his unusual all-around ability. And remember: The top man on this list also tested positive for a PED.

2. Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs)

Estrada is probably the closest to Alvarez in terms of both ability and accomplishments. The two-division titleholder from Sonora is a superb boxer-puncher, as he has demonstrated repeatedly at an elite level. Among those he has defeated: Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Giovanni Segura, Carlos Cuadras (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. That’s a who’s who of the best little men of a generation. And he proved to be particularly effective in rematches, avenging losses to future Hall of Famers Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez. Estrada might not be quite as good or accomplished as the more-celebrated Alvarez but he’s truly a great fighter.

  1. Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs)

The undisputed super middleweight champion has accomplished too much to debate his place at the top of this list. The fact is he’s one of the best Mexican fighters of all time. He has turned himself into a complete fighter, one who can outbox you to win a wide decision or knock you out in brutal fashion. He has beaten a list of elite opponents that is longer than any rival in the sport, including Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev. He has won titles in four divisions, which is impressive even if you think belts are overrated. And he has gotten progressively better over the years, which is a testament to his work ethic. Alvarez deserves the respect he receives.

6-10 (in alphabetical order): Isaac Cruz (proved himself in loss to Davis), Julio Cesar Martinez (fights Gonzalez next month), Emanuel Navarrete (needs a few more big wins), Gilberto Ramirez (has done nothing but win), Rey Vargas (almost was No. 5 here).

[lawrence-related id=28206,27616,27548]

5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?

5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?

The best active Mexican fighter is Canelo Alvarez, who tops many pound-for-pound lists. No one can question the superstar’s place among his countrymen.

But who is next best? And who would round out the Top 5? And is Jaime Munguia, who fights D’Mitrius Ballard Saturday, on the list?

Those questions aren’t easy to answer given the depth of talent south of the U.S. border, where only soccer is more popular than the sweet science. Mexico probably produces more elite fighters than any country other than the U.S.

Still, in this special feature, Boxing Junkie has endeavored to give you the best five fighters from Mexico and a list of the next five.

So here we go (in reverse order).

5. Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs)

The former junior middleweight champ has to be on the list. The 25-year-old native of Tijuana has always had pop in his punches, as his knockout percentage indicates. He’s also evolving as a boxer, which isn’t good news for his middleweight rivals. And while he doesn’t have a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, he is building a solid list of victims. He has already beaten Sadam Ali (to win his title), Liam Smith, Tureano Johnson, Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado even though he’s really just getting started. The jury is still out on what Munguia can accomplish but he seems to have the tools to succeed on the highest level. And he should continue to get better with experience.

4. Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs)

Is Santa Cruz declining? That’s a reasonable question. He’s 33, an age when some fighters begin to fade. And he was brutally knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his penultimate fight, which put a instantaneous halt to any momentum he had. However, it might be too soon to write him off. First, his resume is impressive. He has won titles in four divisions and beaten a long list of elite opponents along the way. He bounced back from the Davis setback to shut out Keenan Carbajal on Feb. 5, which was a sign of life. And he plans to move back down to 126, where he should be particularly strong if he can make the weight comfortably. Let’s hold off writing his boxing obituary.

3. Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs)

The dynamic boxer-puncher from Sonora claimed his career-defining victory by outboxing and then knocking out the feared Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds to win a 130-pound title in February of last year, which lifted him to a new level of respect. Before that, he held a major 126-pound title for more than three years. Valdez’s reputation took a hit when he tested positive for a banned substance yet was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September but there is no denying his unusual all-around ability. And remember: The top man on this list also tested positive for a PED.

2. Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs)

Estrada is probably the closest to Alvarez in terms of both ability and accomplishments. The two-division titleholder from Sonora is a superb boxer-puncher, as he has demonstrated repeatedly at an elite level. Among those he has defeated: Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Giovanni Segura, Carlos Cuadras (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. That’s a who’s who of the best little men of a generation. And he proved to be particularly effective in rematches, avenging losses to future Hall of Famers Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez. Estrada might not be quite as good or accomplished as the more-celebrated Alvarez but he’s truly a great fighter.

  1. Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs)

The undisputed super middleweight champion has accomplished too much to debate his place at the top of this list. The fact is he’s one of the best Mexican fighters of all time. He has turned himself into a complete fighter, one who can outbox you to win a wide decision or knock you out in brutal fashion. He has beaten a list of elite opponents that is longer than any rival in the sport, including Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev. He has won titles in four divisions, which is impressive even if you think belts are overrated. And he has gotten progressively better over the years, which is a testament to his work ethic. Alvarez deserves the respect he receives.

6-10 (in alphabetical order): Isaac Cruz (proved himself in loss to Davis), Julio Cesar Martinez (fights Gonzalez next month), Emanuel Navarrete (needs a few more big wins), Gilberto Ramirez (has done nothing but win), Rey Vargas (almost was No. 5 here).

[lawrence-related id=28206,27616,27548]

Fight Week: Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally will collide; Jaime Munguia returns

Fight Week: Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally will collide; Jaime Munguia returns.

FIGHT WEEK

Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally meet Saturday in England. Also, unbeaten middleweight contender Jaime Mungia faces D’Mitrius Ballard in Tijuana, Mexico.

Amir Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) vs. Kell Brook (39-3, 27 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 19
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+ (pay-per-view in U.K.)
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Brook 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Chris Namus, junior middleweights (for vacant WBO title); Charlie Schofield vs. Germaine Brown, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Brook KO 8
  • Background: Finally. Khan and Brook, two of the best British fighters of that past few decades, have spoken about fighting for another for almost as long. They’ll meet at long last near the ends of their careers. Khan is a former junior welterweight titleholder known for his quickness and weak chin, which has failed him in four of his five losses. He was stopped by Breidis Prescott, Danny Garcia, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. He has a strong resume – with victories over Marco Antonio Barrera, Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander – but he hasn’t had a significant victory since he outpointed Chris Algieri in 2015. The 35-year-old from Bolton is coming off a fourth-round knockout of veteran Billy Dib in July 2019, which means he will have been out of the ring for more than 2½ years. Brook, also 35, was a borderline pound-for-pounder when he outpointed Shawn Porter to win a major welterweight title in 2014 and made three successful defenses. However, that was followed by back-to-back knockout losses to Gennadiy Golovkin at middleweight and Errol Spence Jr. back at welterweight in 2016 and 2017, after which he was never the same. He last fought in November 2020, when Crawford stopped him in four rounds.

 

Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs) vs. D’Mitrius Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 19
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Plaza Monumental, Tijuana
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Middleweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: William Zepeda vs. Luis Viedas, lightweights; Rafael Espinoza vs. Alie Laurel, featherweights
  • Prediction: Munguia KO 9
  • Background: Munguia, the former junior middleweight beltholder, is marching steadily toward a shot at a middleweight championship. The 25-year-old Mexican won his 154-pound title by stopping Sadam Ali in 2018 and making five successful defense before moving up to 160, at which he’s 4-0 against good opposition. He’s coming off a wide-decision victory over veteran Gabriel Rosado this past November. He’ll be fighting in his hometown for the first time since 2017. Ballard, 28, is a solid opponent. The product of the Washington, D.C. area was an amateur standout who fought in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, turning pro the following year. He’s unbeaten as a pro – with only a draw against Yamaguchi Falcao in 2019 – but has never faced an opponent the caliber of Munguia as a professional. Ballard is coming off a one-sided unanimous 10-round decision over Paul Valenzuela Jr. on the Munguia-Rosado card. He has fought outside the United States only once, in Canada in 2016.

Also fighting this weekend: Lightweight prospect Jamaine Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Nahir Albright (14-1, 7 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout Friday in Orlando, Florida, on Showtime. Also, Saturday in Ekaterina, Russia, former three-division titleholder Jorge Linares (47-6, 29 KOs) will take on Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round fight.

[lawrence-related id=26415,25825,27616,27548,25883]

Fight Week: Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally will collide; Jaime Munguia returns

Fight Week: Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally will collide; Jaime Munguia returns.

FIGHT WEEK

Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally meet Saturday in England. Also, unbeaten middleweight contender Jaime Mungia faces D’Mitrius Ballard in Tijuana, Mexico.

Amir Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) vs. Kell Brook (39-3, 27 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 19
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+ (pay-per-view in U.K.)
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Brook 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Chris Namus, junior middleweights (for vacant WBO title); Charlie Schofield vs. Germaine Brown, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Brook KO 8
  • Background: Finally. Khan and Brook, two of the best British fighters of that past few decades, have spoken about fighting for another for almost as long. They’ll meet at long last near the ends of their careers. Khan is a former junior welterweight titleholder known for his quickness and weak chin, which has failed him in four of his five losses. He was stopped by Breidis Prescott, Danny Garcia, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. He has a strong resume – with victories over Marco Antonio Barrera, Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander – but he hasn’t had a significant victory since he outpointed Chris Algieri in 2015. The 35-year-old from Bolton is coming off a fourth-round knockout of veteran Billy Dib in July 2019, which means he will have been out of the ring for more than 2½ years. Brook, also 35, was a borderline pound-for-pounder when he outpointed Shawn Porter to win a major welterweight title in 2014 and made three successful defenses. However, that was followed by back-to-back knockout losses to Gennadiy Golovkin at middleweight and Errol Spence Jr. back at welterweight in 2016 and 2017, after which he was never the same. He last fought in November 2020, when Crawford stopped him in four rounds.

 

Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs) vs. D’Mitrius Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 19
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Plaza Monumental, Tijuana
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Middleweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: William Zepeda vs. Luis Viedas, lightweights; Rafael Espinoza vs. Alie Laurel, featherweights
  • Prediction: Munguia KO 9
  • Background: Munguia, the former junior middleweight beltholder, is marching steadily toward a shot at a middleweight championship. The 25-year-old Mexican won his 154-pound title by stopping Sadam Ali in 2018 and making five successful defense before moving up to 160, at which he’s 4-0 against good opposition. He’s coming off a wide-decision victory over veteran Gabriel Rosado this past November. He’ll be fighting in his hometown for the first time since 2017. Ballard, 28, is a solid opponent. The product of the Washington, D.C. area was an amateur standout who fought in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, turning pro the following year. He’s unbeaten as a pro – with only a draw against Yamaguchi Falcao in 2019 – but has never faced an opponent the caliber of Munguia as a professional. Ballard is coming off a one-sided unanimous 10-round decision over Paul Valenzuela Jr. on the Munguia-Rosado card. He has fought outside the United States only once, in Canada in 2016.

Also fighting this weekend: Lightweight prospect Jamaine Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Nahir Albright (14-1, 7 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout Friday in Orlando, Florida, on Showtime. Also, Saturday in Ekaterina, Russia, former three-division titleholder Jorge Linares (47-6, 29 KOs) will take on Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round fight.

[lawrence-related id=26415,25825,27616,27548,25883]

D’Mitrius Ballard savors second chance to fight Jaime Munguia

D’Mitrius Ballard said he savors a second chance to fight Jaime Munguia on Feb. 19.

D’Mitrius Ballard didn’t know whether this moment would come.

The one-time amateur standout, who lost in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, toiled eight-plus years as a pro before finally landing a big fight as a late replacement against middleweight contender Jamie Munguia in April of last year only to lose the opportunity when he suffered an elbow injury in training.

Munguia would go on to defeat Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado in June and November, with a healthy Ballard outpointing Paul Valenzuela Jr. on the latter card.

However, he didn’t know whether he’d get a second chance against Munguia until the call finally came. They’ll fight on Feb. 19 in Tijuana, Munguia’s hometown.

“It was iffy,” Ballard told Boxing Junkie. “Sometimes the call never comes again. I thought I might’ve missed the boat. My family, my wife, my kids, everybody kept me uplifted. I continued to work, continued to build.

“And then I got the call that I would get the same opportunity in Mexico. I’m not worried about that. I’m just happy.”

Now he has to take care of business against one of the top young fighters in the world.

Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs) is a former junior middleweight titleholder who has ability and heavy hands. Also, he seems to be improving under the direction of Hall of Famer Erik Morales, who has trained him for two-plus years.

Ballard was asked what he believes to be Munguia’s greatest strength. “His ability to impose his will,” he said.

At the same time, Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) believes he has the God-given tools and experience to give any 160-pounder problems. That’s why this opportunity is so monumental for him: He now has the chance to prove himself on a large platform (DAZN).

“I feel like I’m a complete fighter,” he said. “I feel I can do it all. I can adapt to whatever happens in the ring. I haven’t fought anyone like him but he hasn’t fought anyone like me either.”

The victory over Valenzuela was important for Ballard. Before that fight, he hadn’t fought in nearly two years because of the coronavirus pandemic and then his injury.

And he had a disappointing 2019 in the ring, a no-contest when opponent Elias Espadas suffered a cut in June and a majority draw against 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao of Brazil in December.

Ballard didn’t look great against Valenzuela but he did more than enough to win, taking eight of the 10 rounds on all three cards.

“Just getting myself back to boxing was great for me, getting back in the ring, getting back in the groove, getting back to throwing punches,” he said.

That was three months ago, meaning the ring rust has been shed and he should be sharp for the biggest moment of his career, a shot at a rising star and former champion who holds a minor world title.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “I remember when I was 12, 14, 15 I would visualize this moment, fighting for a world title in another fighter’s backyard. It just happens that it’s in Mexico. It’s funny how things turn out.

“… Eighteen years of boxing, nine years as a pro, this definitely is my biggest opportunity.”

D’Mitrius Ballard savors second chance to fight Jaime Munguia

D’Mitrius Ballard said he savors a second chance to fight Jaime Munguia on Feb. 19.

D’Mitrius Ballard didn’t know whether this moment would come.

The one-time amateur standout, who lost in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, toiled eight-plus years as a pro before finally landing a big fight as a late replacement against middleweight contender Jamie Munguia in April of last year only to lose the opportunity when he suffered an elbow injury in training.

Munguia would go on to defeat Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado in June and November, with a healthy Ballard outpointing Paul Valenzuela Jr. on the latter card.

However, he didn’t know whether he’d get a second chance against Munguia until the call finally came. They’ll fight on Feb. 19 in Tijuana, Munguia’s hometown.

“It was iffy,” Ballard told Boxing Junkie. “Sometimes the call never comes again. I thought I might’ve missed the boat. My family, my wife, my kids, everybody kept me uplifted. I continued to work, continued to build.

“And then I got the call that I would get the same opportunity in Mexico. I’m not worried about that. I’m just happy.”

Now he has to take care of business against one of the top young fighters in the world.

Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs) is a former junior middleweight titleholder who has ability and heavy hands. Also, he seems to be improving under the direction of Hall of Famer Erik Morales, who has trained him for two-plus years.

Ballard was asked what he believes to be Munguia’s greatest strength. “His ability to impose his will,” he said.

At the same time, Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) believes he has the God-given tools and experience to give any 160-pounder problems. That’s why this opportunity is so monumental for him: He now has the chance to prove himself on a large platform (DAZN).

“I feel like I’m a complete fighter,” he said. “I feel I can do it all. I can adapt to whatever happens in the ring. I haven’t fought anyone like him but he hasn’t fought anyone like me either.”

The victory over Valenzuela was important for Ballard. Before that fight, he hadn’t fought in nearly two years because of the coronavirus pandemic and then his injury.

And he had a disappointing 2019 in the ring, a no-contest when opponent Elias Espadas suffered a cut in June and a majority draw against 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao of Brazil in December.

Ballard didn’t look great against Valenzuela but he did more than enough to win, taking eight of the 10 rounds on all three cards.

“Just getting myself back to boxing was great for me, getting back in the ring, getting back in the groove, getting back to throwing punches,” he said.

That was three months ago, meaning the ring rust has been shed and he should be sharp for the biggest moment of his career, a shot at a rising star and former champion who holds a minor world title.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “I remember when I was 12, 14, 15 I would visualize this moment, fighting for a world title in another fighter’s backyard. It just happens that it’s in Mexico. It’s funny how things turn out.

“… Eighteen years of boxing, nine years as a pro, this definitely is my biggest opportunity.”