Jaime Munguia’s Shoe Size: Oscar De La Hoya Forces Out a ‘Big’ Secret

The boxing community is on a roll. The embers of the big Ryan Garcia–Devin Haney card have barely cooled, and the sport is already staring at another major headliner coming up next week. Of course, two weeks after that, there is the heavy-duty battle between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title. But next Saturday, it could be Jaime Munguia‘s night. It’s the Tijuana-born boxer’s turn to stake a claim to the super middleweight’s undisputed crown, long held by Canelo Alvarez. Munguia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, sounds quite upbeat about his charge’s prospects on May 4.

However, De La Hoya might still be tight-lipped about the young boxer’s training details. Nevertheless, a reporter prodded him to reveal a few insider details about Jaime Munguia. The Olympic gold medalist and former world champion nonchalantly slipped out a hitherto unknown detail. Though, after learning about it, many fans might find themselves scratching their heads. They might be trying to understand its relevance to the Cinco de Mayo opener.

Jaime Munguia: Feet in the Dark

A few days ago, boxing reporter Kristina Snow shared a short video through an Instagram post. It featured an interesting interaction during Jaime Munguia’s media workout session. Oscar De La Hoya had also joined the former light middleweight champion at Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach‘s Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, California. Snow wanted to know one big fact about Jaime Munguia that most of the fans and followers weren’t aware of. “Oscar, what is one thing people don’t know about Jaime Munguia?” She asked. Taking a few seconds to think, ‘The Golden Boy’ then responded, “He has a bigfoot.”

It was now the protagonist’s turn to face the music. As if it were nothing, with a smile on his face, Jaime Munguia replied that it should be ’12-13′ U.S. size only. Amidst all the prattle and the sound of a trumpet playing in the background, Kristina Snow once again went back to Oscar De La Hoya. ‘The Golden Boy’ was uttering something to Munguia, deeply immersed in his shadow-boxing display at the ring center. Snow asked, “He looks very bigger than Canelo.” De La Hoya replied, “Huge…huge,” but he quickly added, “and very light on his feet; La Pluma.”

For a man of his size, having a light foot against a highly explosive boxer like Canelo Alvarez might come off as an advantage. But foot size? Now, where does that fit in? Jaime Munguia is the fourth challenger to Alvarez’s belt. Time alone will tell whether he can do a better job than Gennady Golovkin and Jermell Charlo.

Chances for Real

Under Freddie Roach, Munguia, who is known for his tough chin, seems to have improved a lot of his techniques, such as his head movements. He received a chance to test his new learning when he faced John Ryder in January this year. The English boxer challenged Canelo Alvarez last year. However, the Mexican icon found the going tough and could manage a win only through the scorecard. But Munguia shocked everyone by delivering a statement win, stopping Ryder in the ninth round of their fight.

The triumph made Munguia the frontrunner among a long list of boxers eager to fight one of the biggest names in boxing. But it also brought to light his flexibility to pick up new skills. Combined with his size and flair for an attacking game, new methods and tactics have turned him into a well-rounded boxer. One, ready to face what could be the toughest challenge of his professional career.

As the former world champion and now boxing analyst Timothy Bradly rightly pointed out in a show, “Munguia is everything Canelo Alvarez wished he was with the fans. I’m letting y’all know right now he is the epitome of Mexican-style boxing.”

It will be too early for anyone to claim that Canelo Alvarez has an easy fight in hand on May 4. Given his youth, size, and skill, Jaime Munguia could usurp a surprise, just like Ryan Garcia did last week.

Between Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia, who is your pick for the win on May 4? Please share your views with us in the comments below.