Jaime Munguia may be the challenger heading into his May 2 showdown versus new WBA 168lbs beltholder Armando “Toro” Resendiz, but with significant success over the 12-round championship distance and having fought 138 more pro rounds while still in his 20s, there’s a distinct confidence coursing through the Tijuana fighter.
“Undoubtedly, I feel like a champion. I have what it takes. I’ve worked very hard for this fight. I’m highly confident in my abilities. And I know I can come out on top on May 2,” Munguia told BoxingScene.
Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs), is most motivated about redirecting a career path that has been on wobbly legs since his last fight in the States, the 2024 Cinco de Mayo weekend unanimous-decision loss in Las Vegas to former undisputed super-middleweight champion and countryman Canelo Alvarez.
Since then, Munguia, 29, endured a stunning knockout loss to unheralded Frenchman Bruno Surace in December 2024, avenging that defeat by unanimous decision in May 2025 in Saudi Arabia, only to get ensnared in a PED case that took him months to clear his name.
“Everything is on the line. Not just the world championship, but my career as well,” Munguia said at last week’s media workout. “I’m certain I’ll come out with a win.
“It comes down to experience – my experience going 12 rounds, taking on better fighters, bigger names. All of those things will come together. The pressure, the environment – I’m more used to it. And the motivation to be a world champion is everything to me right now.”
Munguia nodded affirmatively to the suggestion champions are proven by how they confront adversity.
“It’s very important, a big challenge like never before. But we’re going to achieve it,” he said. “It’s going to be a great achievement for me and something that will stay with me through the end of my career.”
Mexico’s 27-year-old Resendiz, 16-2 (11 KOs), inherited the belt from the retired undisputed champion Terence Crawford after leaning on his May 2025 upset split-decision victory over former champion Caleb Plant as an 11/1 underdog.
It was only Resendiz’s second bout at super middleweight following a 2023 stoppage loss to middleweight Elijah Garcia and a 2021 decision defeat to Marcos Hernandez.
Waiting for the first title defense, Resendiz has trained diligently under cornerman Manny Robles.
“Maybe Caleb Plant underestimated Resendiz a little bit,” Munguia said. “It looked like Caleb was winning in the first five rounds, but then Resendiz hit him with a shot and lost respect for Plant’s power. Everything that happened from there was the result of that. That’s not going to happen here. I’m going to establish myself and win that fight.”
The bout serves as the co-main event to the WBA/WBO cruiserweight title fight pitting Mexico’s once-beaten champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez versus Phoenix’s WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez at T-Mobile Arena, on Prime Video, DAZN and PPV.com pay-per-view.
For Munguia, the added benefit of not fighting Alvarez means he has reunited with Alvarez trainer Eddy Reynoso and receives in-the-gym counsel from the former pound-for-pound king himself.
The preparation has been intense, both physically – with Munguia sporting a scrape at the bridge of the nose last week – and psychologically.
“They’ve helped me a lot from the mental side, which is so very important,” Munguia said. “But boxing wise, I need my conditioning, and they have really been there for me to help me reach the next level.
“Of course, fighting on this special day for Mexican people brings extra motivation, for sure.”
Reynoso expressed assuredness in leading his veteran ex-154lbs champion to the ring.
“Jaime Munguia obviously has the experience, he’s stronger. Resendiz just came to the division. Without a doubt, Munguia has the experience to win the fight,” Reynoso said.
As for the mind schooling he’s provided to Munguia at his San Diego gym, Reynoso said, “I tell him to believe in himself, that he has everything it takes to be a world champion – and that we’re going to win May 2 when we fight Resendiz.
“I respect anyone and everyone who steps in the ring, especially a champion, but we’re going to win.”
The expected success is so stark that Munguia has also mulled the idea of pursuing a middleweight title in the near future given the disruption related to former unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly’s PED positive and the move up to 168lbs by champion Carlos Adames.
“Look, the middleweight belt is something that has been on my mind. But the most important thing to me is to be a world champion on May 2,” Munguia said.
