IMPRESSIVE Mexican Jaime Munguia burst into the upper echelons of the super-welterweight division last week when he replaced Liam Smith at short notice and demolished Sadam Ali to win the WBO world title.
“I think it was a very impressive performance. I know Liam Smith was annoyed, that’s twice now he’s had an opportunity to become champion, he pulled out due to his rash and allergic reaction,” Smith’s trainer Joe Gallagher told Boxing News.
“Munguia took his opportunity. When you’ve got someone like that, who had no fear and wanted to take the GGG fight. It gets alarm bells ringing and he took his opportunity with both hands.”
However the Liverpudlian is going to use his mandatory position to challenge Munguia for the world title. Gallagher continued, “But Liam Smith being the gym this week said he can’t wait to fight him. So Liam Smith can’t wait for that fight. The WBO sent a letter out for negotiations to begin for the fight.
“He’s still the mandatory.” That contest could take place in August or September of this year.
Gallagher considers, “Munguia very, very impressive with his long shots. Obviously typical Mexican, left hook head, left hook body, left uppercut. He got his opportunity, took it in style, fair play to him.”
But Joe warned, “Liam always likes to fight, whether it’s Liam Williams or Canelo, Liam doesn’t back down from anyone. Munguia now has got to come with a huge reputation. Liam Smith is in training, focused to reclaim his world title.”
