Erik Morales returns to guide Jaime Munguia to his prime

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Erik Morales, a former four-division champion and now an elected representative to Mexico’s national legislature, knows something fundamental about boxing and politics.

You can’t play either. 

In terms of time and commitment, there’s not much difference between the fight for votes and the fight within the ropes.

Morales, Jaime Munguia’s trainer, left boxing for most of last year to run for the State of Baja’s District 07 seat in the Chamber of Deputies, Mexico’s version of Congress. 

He won that one by a reported 65 per cent of the votes, according to Mexican media.

During his days as a fighter known to be as ferocious as any in Mexican history, he won on most of the judges’ scorecards, too.

Now, he’s back in Munguia’s corner for the promising super middleweight’s first bout after his only loss in May to Canelo Álvarez, who has dominated Mexican boxing throughout the 12 years since Morales’ final fight — a knockout loss to Danny Garcia in 2012.

“It is good, good to be back,’’ Morales said though an interpreter this week before Munguia’s comeback date with Canadian Erik Bazinyan Friday night at Desert Diamond Arena in an ESPN-televised bout. “Jaime has been working very well. He looks good. I can see some differences in him. Mostly, I think he has matured.”

Munguia, who grew up in Tijuana watching Morales emerge as a Mexican legend in his own right, found himself in good hands after Morales jumped into the political ring. 

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach took over for the next two fights. With Roach as his trainer, Munguia scored an impressive stoppage of John Ryder in late January in downtown Phoenix at Footprint Center, the Phoenix Suns’ home arena.

Munguia showed agile footwork, abundant patience and mostly power. Then tied to Golden Boy Promotions, Munguia stopped the durable Ryder in the ninth round. 

For the 27-year-old Munguia, it was a statement that he had arrived as a player at 168 pounds.

Canelo saw it and decided to fight him in May in a bout that proved to be learning experience for Munguia, who got up from a fourth-round knockdown and wound up losing a decision to the Mexican icon

“I look back at it, and I think I went into the ring more nervous than maybe I should have been,’’ said Munguia, who has since dismissed Canelo’s assertion that he carried him.

Morales agrees.

“Yes, I think he was,’’ Morales said. “But you mature because of that kind of experience.’’

There are questions about whether Munguia was too young for Canelo, now 34.

Had he waited a couple of more years, would a more seasoned Munguia had a better chance against Canelo? Then again, would Canelo have waited for him? Canelo has said he’ll retire when he’s 37. 

“Sometimes, you just have to take the opportunity when it’s there,’’ said Morales, who has watched Munguia fight in Tijuana since he turned pro as a 16-year-old. “It’s the kind of fight you can really learn from.’’

Canelo, himself, might not be the fighter he is today without the scorecard loss he suffered as a 23-year-old to the accomplished Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013.

Now reunited with his boyhood hero, Munguia confronts this fight against Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs), who is rated among the top 10 in virtually every 168-pound ranking, as a potential first step into his prime.

“Yes, of course,’’ said Munguia (43-1 34 KOs), who has a one-fight deal with Top Rank. “It’s just a great feeling to be back with Erik Morales. I went back to Big Bear (California) to train in the mountains. It feels right.’’

For Morales, it feels like home, a familiar corner and a place to stay.

“Until I run for El Presidente,’’ he joked.