Oscar De La Hoya continues to insist he has sought nothing but big fights for Jaime Munguia.
The resume strongly suggests otherwise, given that most view his upcoming ten-round bout versus Sergiy Derevyanchenko as a significant step up in class. The two will meet above the middleweight limit and atop a June 10 DAZN show from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The event marks the first fight of 2023 for Tijuana’s Munguia (41-0, 33KOs), whose 2022 campaign was littered with tune-up and failed title fight negotiations. Most notably among the lot, Munguia was in line to face WBC middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22KOs) last Juneteenth (June 19) on Showtime from Charlos’ hometown of Houston, Texas. Golden Boy and Zanfer Boxing ultimately sabotaged that fight, leaving Munguia without any real options for the year as both of his wins came versus middling opposition.
"We want all the big names for Jaime - but we want that fight against Charlo,” insisted De La Hoya.
There is belief from the Hall of Fame former six-division titlist and head of Golden Boy Promotions that Munguia can secure a showdown with Charlo, who remains without a fight or fight date. Golden Boy recently worked with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)—whose creator Al Haymon manages Charlo—on the April 22 Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia Showtime Pay-Per-View event in Las Vegas which generated more than $120,000,000 in overall revenue.
“After our major commercial success with the Ryan Garcia fight, we have the framework to work with PBC and Showtime,” alleged Da La Hoya. “But, if that can't happen, Munguia will fight anyone – Gennadiy [Golovkin], or even David Benavidez are great options for him.”
Munguia remains the number-three ranked middleweight contender with the WBC and WBO, according to the most recent rankings published by both.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox