Jaime Munguia, the undefeated boxer from Tijuana, is setting his sights high for 2024, with a clear path mapped out for his boxing career. Notably, Munguia is not focusing on a potential showdown with fellow Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Instead, he’s intent on establishing his legacy independently, starting with a crucial bout against England’s John Ryder on January 27 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, to be showcased on DAZN.

Munguia expressed his excitement about the upcoming year during a media day in Los Angeles. “We are very excited to have a big 2024. We look forward to facing John Ryder. After that, we look forward to the big fights and become a two-division champion,” he stated. This bout against Ryder is seen as a stepping stone towards his goal of becoming a champion in a second weight division.

Currently, as the WBO’s number-one contender in his weight class, Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) is yet to be declared the mandatory challenger. The WBO has advised Golden Boy Promotions to keep Munguia active, considering a potential fight against Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs), the division’s undisputed champion, may not be on the cards until November at the earliest.

Golden Boy’s founder, Oscar De La Hoya, brought up Alvarez’s name during the press conference, drawing attention to Alvarez’s victory over Ryder this past May. Ryder, who hasn’t fought since his loss to Alvarez, will now face Munguia, with expectations high for the latter to outperform Alvarez’s showing.

Munguia is no stranger to high expectations and critical comparisons. His 2023 fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, lauded as a Fight of the Year contender, showcased his ability to triumph over adversity, culminating in a dramatic 12th-round knockdown to secure the win.

Looking ahead, Munguia acknowledges Ryder’s skills but remains confident in his ability to emerge victorious. “I don’t mean any disrespect to John Ryder. He is a tremendous fighter, we are just confident that we can beat him. If that happens, then will continue to look for the biggest fights possible,” Munguia remarked. His focus is clear: to validate his early career success and affirm his status among the elite fighters of the boxing world.

Image Credit: DAZN