Following a six-year-long association with Golden Boy Promotions, Jaime Munguia has decided upon a change in guard. He will be signing a multi-fight co-promotional deal with Top Rank, sources close to ESPN revealed. The 27-year-old boxer had a successful stint with Oscar De La Hoya, with sixteen of his fights co-promoted by the latter and Zanfer Promotions.

An association that started back in May 2018, Munguia had a stellar career under De La Hoya’s leadership, winning the WBO junior middleweight title by defeating Sadam Ali and making five title defenses. In 2023, he moved up to 168 pounds and successfully debuted against Sergiy Derevyanchenko. This bout was regarded as ESPN’s 2023 Fight of the Year as the Tijuana-born native won unanimously on the judges’ scorecards.

Additionally, Oscar was able to get Munguia an undisputed title shot against his compatriot Canelo Alvarez. Oscar had his hopes riding on Munguia to beat his former fighter. Unfortunately, even though Munguia put on a spirited performance, ‘Canelito’ reigned supreme, handing him a decision loss.

“Jaime will make an announcement soon,” Zanfer CEO Fernando Beltran revealed to ESPN. “We’re happy with everything we have accomplished with everyone. … If we look for options or platforms or whatever, that’s not for me to say.”

Reportedly, Munguia’s debut fight under Top Rank will be against Erik Bazinyan on September 20 in the Phoenix area. He will be fighting exclusively on ESPN under the Bob Arum-headed promotion. Previously, Munguia’s prior thirteen fights were broadcast on DAZN.

With a record of 43-1 and ranked No. 4 at super middleweight by ESPN, Munguia has built a profile worthy of attracting elite boxers. Now, it remains to be seen if his career thrives or falters under the Top Rank banner.

Jaime Munguia has no regrets about his first loss!

Munguia fell short against the mighty Canelo. He went in aggressively against Canelo in the first couple of rounds, but the legendary Mexican fighter, with his wealth of experience, was able to figure him out quite quickly. As a consequence, Munguia slowed down in the latter rounds and even suffered a fourth-round knockdown from a devastating uppercut. Canelo was able to cruise through the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory.

“I felt good, I think I won the first rounds, he is a very experienced fighter, he beat me well, it hurt my first defeat. I started the rounds very well, but after that he started to win the rounds,” Munguia told ESPN about his solitary career loss.

However, he said that he was “not sorry for anything” as he felt he gave the people a “good fight.” No doubt, the learnings from his loss against Alvarez will be beneficial as he still has a long career ahead of him.

If reports are to be believed, he will be going up against 32-0, 29-year-old Canadian boxer Bazinyan, who still hasn’t faced any notable names in the super middleweight division. Till now, Bazinyan hasn’t won any world titles. On paper, it should be an easy win for Munguia. But you can’t sleep on an opponent in boxing, where all it takes is just one punch to make a difference.

Do you think Jaime Munguia made the right decision by signing with Top Rank? Let us know in the comments section below.