By Miguel Rivera

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar de la Hoya has revealed his desire to become the United States promoter of undefeated Jaime Munguia of Mexico.

Munguia is currently the junior middleweight world champion of the World Boxing Organization. The unbeaten champ is currently promoted by Mexican-based Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions.

De La Hoya currently co-promotes several fighters with Mexican promoters such as Pepe Gómez.

At the end of April, Golden Boy announced that Munguía (29-0, 25 KOs) was going to become the replacement opponent for Liam Smith - who was set to challenge Saddam Ali in his first defense of the WBO super welterweight title.

And to De La Hoya's surprise, the Tijuana native demolished Ali in four rounds.

Now that it is Munguia's first defense coming up, and Golden Boy will once again do the promotional rights - because they secured a promotional option from the Ali fight - and they are taking him back to HBO.

De La Hoya is hoping to stay with him and continue promoting his career with Zanfer as a co-partner.

Now Munguia will make a mandatory defense against Smith (26-1-1, 14 KOs), who will return to US territory for the first time since losing to Canelo Alvarez in September 2016.

The contest takes place on July 21 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

"Mexican boxing is growing again. We are seeing great champions and we are currently working with Pepe [Gomez], Eddy [Reynoso] and working for Mexican boxing to return to the top," De La Hoya said to ESPN Deportes.

"Munguia will be a very successful fighter, I will be promoting his next fight on July 21 with Liam Smith in Las Vegas. And we are in talks to see if we can make an agreement with Zanfer Promotions to promote his career."