Jaime Munguia wants another shot at becoming a two-division world champion, but first, he’ll have to get past an unbeaten puncher.
Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) will face Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) in the 12-round main event Friday evening at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
After his January stoppage victory over British veteran John Ryder at Footprint Center, Munguia will return to the Phoenix area. In May, he made an unsuccessful bid for the undisputed crown against countryman Canelo Alvarez.
In the eight-round heavyweight co-feature, Olympic silver medal standout Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) will fight Philadelphia-born veteran Joey Dawejko (28-11-4, 16 KOs).
Junior welterweight prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) will open the three-fight ESPN broadcast in an eight-rounder versus upset-minded Irishman Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs)
Munguia-Bazinyan, Torrez-Dawejko, and Vargas-Fryers will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard begins at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT and includes a 10-round junior lightweight clash between unbeaten Filipino Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) and Texas-born puncher Jorge Castañeda (17-3, 13 KOs).
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
This is what the fighters had to say at Wednesday’s press conference.
Jaime Munguia
“I’m very excited to return on this important, patriotic month for my country. It’s an honor to have my first fight with Top Rank.”
“I’m excited to be once again working with my old team. I’m excited to be back in Big Bear. It’s been a great preparation. It’s been one of the best preparations of my career, and we’re going to have a great fight.”
“We have had a tough time since last year. We’ve had great fights against great fighters. We’ve been on great stages as well. That has helped us to get a lot of confidence. We learn more with each camp and will apply all the experience we have learned.”
“It’s a very important fight. He’s an aggressive fighter who gives a great show to the people. I know it’s going to be a tough fight, but I’m going to walk away with my hand raised.”
Erik Bazinyan
“I’ve been in against top fighters for the past few years. I’ve fought and beaten anyone that my team has brought to me. This is a great opportunity. And I’m here to win.”
“We are very well prepared. We have a great game plan and had a great training camp with Marc {Ramsay}. We have done everything possible to win.”
“It’s the right time for this fight. I have been ready for the past couple of years. When I get an opportunity like this, I take it. So, it’s time to let the world know who I am.”