Professional career
Munguia turned professional in July 2013, winning multiple contests in Tijuana before winning the WBO super-welterweight title in May 2018, dropping the champion, Sadam Ali, numerous times on the way to a fourth-round stoppage.
Munguia made five successful defences, two by stoppage. The run included wins over Liam Smith and Dennis Hogan. In January 2020, Munguia stopped Ireland’s Gary O’Sullivan on his middleweight debut before defeating a string of fringe contenders. Munguia stepped up to 168 pounds, beating Sergiy Derevyanchenko narrowly and stopping John Ryder in a statement win.
That set up a big Mexican clash in Las Vegas against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on May 4, 2024. Canelo dropped Munguia in round four and won a unanimous decision, retaining his undisputed super-middleweight status. Munguia rebounded with a 10th-round KO of unbeaten Armenian Erik Bazinyan. After the bout, Munguia announced that he would welcome bouts with Caleb Plant, Edgar Berlanga and Christian Mbilli.
Trainers
Erik Morales
Munguia has a long-running relationship with former world champion Erik Morales, which began in 2019. For his fights with Ryder and Canelo, Munguia briefly enlisted the help of Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach as Morales fulfilled his political obligations. Munguia returned full-time to Morales for the Bazinyan fight.
