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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 21: WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia of Mexico poses with his belt after his unanimous decision victory over Liam Smith of England on July 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 21: WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia of Mexico poses with his belt after his unanimous decision victory over Liam Smith of England on July 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
When asked about the matchups he was looking forward to, Edgar Berlanga had a prompt response. “Jaime Munguia, Caleb Plant, and Charlo,” he said. With a September headliner against Canelo Alvarez, the Brooklyn-born boxer concluded the year’s schedule. Early in May, following the decisive rout of John Ryder, the Cinco de Mayo fixture saw Munguia facing Alvarez. The outcomes showed no difference.
There’s a high chance the two super middleweights could square up in the new year. In an interview, Jaime Munguia shared his thoughts about Berlanga, especially his performance against Canelo Alvarez. Following the first career loss, Berlanga’s much-publicized celebration reportedly raised quite a few eyebrows. Brandishing a ring activity that could be the envy of many a boxer, Munguia will step into the ring for this fourth time this year. On December 14, a homecoming showdown in Tijuana will see him exchange blows with the Frenchman Bruno Surace.
Fight Hub TV‘s Marcos Villegas caught up with Jaime Munguia. With a translator pitching in, he tried to gauge the former world champion’s thoughts. But first, like many, Villegas was astonished by Jaime Munguia’s output—four fights in a year. Even some of the reigning champions stagger to accumulate a number like that.
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Always a humble man, Jaime Munguia replied that the fights helped him improve his game. He kept on learning and improving. The discussion then veered towards the next year’s potential lineups. The Fight Hub TV founder checked for Munguia’s views on Caleb Plant‘s performance against Trevor McCumby. Munguia felt that Plant faced a tough opponent. Nevertheless, using his experience, he overcame the hurdle.
Next, it was Edgar Berlanga’s turn. In comparison to the way he fought, how did ‘The Chosen One’ perform against Canelo Alvarez? “Well, two different fighters. I think it was different in my case. I came here and tried to win; Berlanga tried to survive. So we saw him with a bit of fear,” responded Munguia.
“What made you feel that way? That he was fighting to survive?” asked Villegas. Jaime Munguia replied, “Well, from the beginning I saw him going back and walking back; he always looked scared; I never really saw him trying to look for the fight in there.”
What’s your perspective on:
Does Jaime Munguia's criticism of Berlanga's loss celebration hold water, or is it just mind games?
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Jaime Munguia vs. Edgar Berlanga: A bout on the horizon?
Having felt he fought competently against Canelo Alvarez, the Fight Hub TV founder then sought Munguia’s thoughts on reports suggesting that Edgar Berlanga had celebrated the loss. “Well, I don’t celebrate a loss. Instead, I try to work hard so that I can learn, so that I can grow. So for me, it’s kind of ridiculous to celebrate a loss. I respect him as a fighter, but I think it looks ridiculous to celebrate a loss,” replied the former light middleweight champion.
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 19: Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia shake hands during a press conference to preview their super middleweight fight at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 19, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
To Marcos Villegas, it seemed like a fight build-up. Perhaps a response from Edgar Berlanga may be forthcoming.
With Canelo Alvarez controlling the reins in the super middleweight division, Jaime Munguia, Edgar Berlanga, and Caleb Plant must be hoping for a rematch to stake a claim to the titles. To that end, they could potentially engage in a low-stakes bout that generates enough hype to showcase their claims. Else they may have to look at a different weight class.
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A matchup between Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga will be engaging nevertheless. Aside from their commendable record, both fighters share a common reputation as heavy hitters who prefer early stoppages to the scorecards.
Do you agree with Munguia’s thoughts that a loss should be treated as a stepping stone for learning?
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Debate
Does Jaime Munguia's criticism of Berlanga's loss celebration hold water, or is it just mind games?