LOS ANGELES – Jaime Munguia is looking to take another step up in the development of his promising career when he takes on John Ryder on January 27 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on DAZN.

Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) will be matched tough against Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs), who survived a knockdown and a busted nose to go 12 rounds with Canelo Alvarez in May during a unanimous decision loss. 

Munguia has the opportunity to score a stoppage win against Ryder – something Alvarez couldn’t do – in hopes of getting the attention of the undisputed super middleweight champion for a potential clash. 

"Ryder is a great opponent and I know that this fight will open many doors,” Munguia said during a kickoff press conference from co-promoter Golden Boy headquarters. "I am not desperate for a knockout of John Ryder. I feel like I have the capabilities and I am fully prepared and trained to knock him out. If it happens, it will happen naturally."

Munguia is preparing for the matchup by making changes in his corner. After a four-year run with Hall of Fame fighter turned coach Erik Morales, Munguia has bestowed training duties to Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach. 

The Tijuana, Mexico native Munguia is now holding camp at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles. 

"Jaime Munguia is a really good puncher. He trains hard every day. He's ready to go 12 rounds every day of the week,” said Roach. 

Roach will be tasked with improving the ascending Munguia’s skillset, especially after the 27-year-old fought through fire in a fight-of-the-year contender to score a narrow unanimous decision win against Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

"He's in a very difficult fight against John Ryder,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya. "There is nothing easy with Jaime Munguia. He loves trading. He's in exciting fights every single time he goes out.” 

De La Hoya is bullish about Munguia’s future at super middleweight, particularly due to the addition of Roach.  

“I don't want to speak for [Roach and Munguia] but if I were them, I would want to finish the job [Alvarez couldn't] and knock out Ryder,” said De La Hoya. “He has the power, talent, work ethic, vision. But more importantly, now, he has the corner in Freddie Roach, who will take him to the next level. Jaime Munguia – the future is today. Believe me when I say this – Jaime Munguia will challenge everybody. The 168-pound division is on notice.

“Imagine Jaime beating Ryder and a potential Canelo fight? It would be a huge honor to be involved in that as a promoter for an all-Mexican duel. Jaime is very close. Obviously, it’s all up to Canelo Alvarez. Like he says, he’s the king and chooses whoever he wants to fight. But Jaime is chipping away to get notice and recognition to be at the top so maybe one day Canelo can choose him to fight.” 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.