Jaime Munguia makes middleweight debut Jan.11

Former WBO junior middleweight champ Jaime Munguia kicks off 2020 on January 11 facing Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan in Munguia’s first fight as a middleweight. Munguia had been the WBO 154-pound boss since winning the title back in May of 2018, a title he defended 5 times.

Munguia (34-0, 27 KO’s) and O’Sullivan (30-3, 21 KO’s) will clash at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

This is certainly a case of the old veteran, with O’Sullivan coming into the fight at age 35, against the young champion in Munguia, who comes into the bout at age 23. Their ring experience is also somewhat similar with Munguia having 34 bouts and O’Sullivan having had 35, but their numbers tell a different tale.

Former champion Munguia has never lost and has been successful every time he has stepped up in his career. O’Sullivan, while lauded for his bravery and willingness to test himself against some very good fighters, has lost in every fight that has seen him take a step up into world class competition.

The fights of note on O’Sullivan’s resume are when he fought (then) future world champion Billy Joe Saunders in 2013, (then) future world champion Chris Eubank Jr. in 2015, and former world champion David Lemieux in 2018. The jump in competition didn’t bode well on the scoresheet for O’Sullivan who lost a decision against Saunders, quit in the Eubank fight and was drilled in 1 round by Lemieux.

While O’Sullivan should prove a good test for the Baja, California residing Munguia, it is the next step on the road to a world title shot at 160-pounds. For O’Sullivan it is probably a good payday with a great upside if he somehow pulls off an upset. And, there is little, if any, expectation to win so the career damage is minimal with a loss.

However, in pre-fight interviews, both fighters seemed excited and looking forward to the bout, with both boxers liking their chance to leave the ring with a victory.

“I’m excited to be moving up to 160 pounds where they say that some of the most important fighters in boxing are”, said Munguia . “I have a very tough fighter in front of me, Gary O’Sullivan is very tough. If I want those bigger fights then I have to demonstrate that I’m worthy of that against this guy, so I have to do my best in order to rise up in the rankings. I look forward to delivering a great fight for Mexico”, said the former junior middleweight champ.

And, while O’Sullivan knows he’s in for a difficult night, he is looking forward to clocking into work in front of what will certainly be a very pro-Munguia crowd.

“Jaime Munguia is a great fighter, I’m very motivated by this challenge; he’s a young world champion, undefeated,” said O’Sullivan. “For many, this is the stuff of dreams to come to his own backyard and fight the undefeated champion of the world. I’ve never felt the more motivated in my whole career. I look forward to putting on a show for January 11. I’m going to prepare very hard for this fight, harder than ever; I’ll be ready for war”, he said.

Prediction: Munguia UD.