Jaime Munguia and his team were prepared for this outcome.
Confirmation was made by the team for the 28-year-old that his “B” sample produced adverse findings of exogenous testosterone, as was the case in his original test surrounding his May 4 win (May 3 in U.S. time) over Bruno Surace. Munguia defeated France’s Surace via unanimous decision on the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez-William Scull undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The feat saw Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs), avenge a knockout defeat six months prior. However, he now faces the possibility of a suspension, fine and the verdict changed to a No-Contest. All will be decided by the British Boxing Board of Control, who presided over the Riyadh event.
Munguia, a former WBO 154lbs titlist and current top super middleweight contender, remains under investigation for the original drug test, as BoxingScene previously reported on May 29. He and promoter Fernando Beltran were present for the unsealing of their “B” sample on June 10 at Sports Medicine Research and Testing Lab (SMRTL) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Results were learned a few days later, before they became public knowledge on Tuesday.
“We can confirm that Jaime Munguía’s B-sample has been opened and analyzed, and consistent with the A-sample, was also positive,” acknowledged Team Munguia in an official press statement. “Jaime was present in Utah for the opening of the B-sample, demonstrating his respect for the process and his full commitment to transparency and cooperation at every step.
“At this stage, we are still awaiting clarification from specialists regarding the specific levels detected in the samples. As the next step, our team is submitting a list of all supplements and products Jaime used to a WADA-accredited laboratory for testing. This is critical in helping determine how the substance may have entered his system and ensuring the integrity of the review.”
All parties involved were notified of the original test result on May 29, from which point Munguía had ten days to request the unsealing and examination of his “B” sample. Munguia acted immediately and has remained vocal and consistent in his insistence that he did not cheat, unwillingly or otherwise.
“I have spent my entire career and life doing things the right way — and this is no exception,” Munguia insisted. “I love boxing, and I am the first one who wants to clear everything up because boxing is my life. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.
“We’re going to prove that we never disrespected the sport, my opponents, or misled the fans.”
Munguia’s rematch with Surace came six months after he was knocked out by the Frenchman in the sixth round last December 14 in his Tijuana hometown. He was well in control before he got caught in the sixth round in a verdict that was recognized by BoxingScene as the 2024 Upset of the Year.
Talks of a rematch immediately surfaced, though there was a temporary roadblock which threatened the bout from moving forward. The matter was ultimately once it was decided that the second act would land on the Alvarez-Scull card financed by the Riyadh Season group headed by Turki Alalshikh.
Placement of the fight aligned with a trainer switch made by Munguia, who joined Alvarez’s team headed by renowned cornerman Eddy Reynoso. The move saw Munguía become stablemates with his first career conqueror; Alvarez defeated his countryman via unanimous decision to defend his undisputed 168lbs title last May 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Munguia rebounded from his loss to Alvarez with a tenth-round knockout of Erik Bazinyan last September 20 in Glendale, Arizona. The win was followed by his stunning defeat to Surace to go 2-2 on the year after he entered 2024 at a perfect 43-0.
Pending whatever ruling comes from the BBBofC, Munguia and his team will continue to cooperate to the fullest.
“We want to reiterate that this outcome does not change our position: Jaime did not knowingly or intentionally ingest any banned substance,” insisted Team Munguia. “We remain steadfast in the belief that this result was caused by contamination, and we are continuing to take every possible step to identify the source.
“Jaime remains unwavering in his commitment to clean competition, and we will continue to work closely with experts and relevant authorities to reach full clarity.”