LAS VEGAS -- Headlining an HBO card on July 21 will be Jaime Munguia (29-0, 25 KOs) and Liam 'Beefy' Smith (26-1-1, 14 KOs). Munguia will be making the first defense of his WBO junior middleweight world title. He won that title just over two months ago after stopping Sadam Ali in four rounds.
Munguia is an orthodox fighter with good pop on his punches. He is the type of fighter who likes to come forward and apply pressure and he can do damage with both hands. Although Munguia's hands aren't the fastest, his timing is very good. He likes to use his jab to measure the distance to land his power punches, the best of which is his left hook. That left hook can do damage upstairs or to the body and his right hand, especially to the body, is very dangerous as well. Defensively Munguia is certainly there to be hit but he has always shown a strong chin.
The WBO champion began his career in 2013 when he was still just a teenager. All but two of his 29 career fights have come in his native Mexico and Ali remains the biggest name on his resume. Outside of Ali, Munguia's resume isn't stacked with top names, but he has fought plenty of tough journeymen on his rise to the top. Currently Munguia is riding a six fight knockout streak, a streak who will look to continue against Smith. While Munguia will need to handle business against Smith before looking forward, it's hard to not wish for a unification fight between fellow pressure fighter Jarrett Hurd.
Smith is an orthodox fighter and against Munguia he will be the smaller fighter and the lighter puncher. The Liverpool native fights behind a high and tight guard and a good jab. Smith really likes to work on the inside and his best punch is his left hook to the body. He also has a solid right hand and will often throw uppercuts in close. However, Smith doesn't move his feet very well and he usually stands ring in front of his opponent which won't be a smart strategy against the heavier handed Munguia.
The resume of Smith also lacks many big names. It does contain one of the biggest names in boxing though in Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Smith fought Alvarez in 2016 and showed a lot of heart and got of the canvas twice before ultimately being stopped in the ninth round. Since that loss Smith has fought three times, going 3-0 with one knockout but one of those opponents entered the ring with a record of 2-37-1 and Munguia represents a step up from those opponents.
This should be a phone booth fight. Both Munguia and Smith love to work in the pocket and neither like to give an inch. Expect Smith to work from behind his usual high and tight guard while he picks his spots to unload his own offense. He needs to be careful not to get too defensive though because he can't let Munguia control the fight. As for Munguia, look for him to impose his size advantage against Smith by pushing him against the ropes and going to work. Expect the younger fighter to work the body of Smith in an attempt to get him to drop his guard, allowing Munguia to catch him clean upstairs. Also, Smith really needs to use his feet more than usual in this fight because he will get himself in trouble if he tries to stand and trade with Munguia.
PREDICTION: Liam Smith will make it to deep waters against Jaime Munguia but he won't hear the final bell. Smith will be there to be hit and Munguia will be hitting him plenty. Smith does have a lot of heart and he will probably get off the canvas a time or two but ultimately the power and pressure of Munguia will be too much and he will knock Smith out in the 10th round.
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| Munguia admiring one of his four knockdowns of Sadam Ali |
The WBO champion began his career in 2013 when he was still just a teenager. All but two of his 29 career fights have come in his native Mexico and Ali remains the biggest name on his resume. Outside of Ali, Munguia's resume isn't stacked with top names, but he has fought plenty of tough journeymen on his rise to the top. Currently Munguia is riding a six fight knockout streak, a streak who will look to continue against Smith. While Munguia will need to handle business against Smith before looking forward, it's hard to not wish for a unification fight between fellow pressure fighter Jarrett Hurd.
Smith is an orthodox fighter and against Munguia he will be the smaller fighter and the lighter puncher. The Liverpool native fights behind a high and tight guard and a good jab. Smith really likes to work on the inside and his best punch is his left hook to the body. He also has a solid right hand and will often throw uppercuts in close. However, Smith doesn't move his feet very well and he usually stands ring in front of his opponent which won't be a smart strategy against the heavier handed Munguia.
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| Smith catching Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez with a right hand |
This should be a phone booth fight. Both Munguia and Smith love to work in the pocket and neither like to give an inch. Expect Smith to work from behind his usual high and tight guard while he picks his spots to unload his own offense. He needs to be careful not to get too defensive though because he can't let Munguia control the fight. As for Munguia, look for him to impose his size advantage against Smith by pushing him against the ropes and going to work. Expect the younger fighter to work the body of Smith in an attempt to get him to drop his guard, allowing Munguia to catch him clean upstairs. Also, Smith really needs to use his feet more than usual in this fight because he will get himself in trouble if he tries to stand and trade with Munguia.
PREDICTION: Liam Smith will make it to deep waters against Jaime Munguia but he won't hear the final bell. Smith will be there to be hit and Munguia will be hitting him plenty. Smith does have a lot of heart and he will probably get off the canvas a time or two but ultimately the power and pressure of Munguia will be too much and he will knock Smith out in the 10th round.
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