Report: Jaime Munguia Could Return Against Erik Bazinyan in September

Super middleweight Jaime Munguia may return to the ring on Sept. 21 against Erik Bazinyan in Arizona, according to a report from ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez.

Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs), 27, will be aiming to rebound after suffering his first professional defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May, a bout that also marked the first time he had been knocked down as a professional.

Before his loss to Alvarez, Munguia secured victories over Sergiy Derevyanchenko and John Ryder. Munguia is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC, No. 6 by the WBA and WBO, and No. 7 by the IBF.

Munguia’s prospective opponent, according to a report posted to Rodriguez’s X account Tuesday: 29-year-old Canadian Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs), who is coming off a controversial draw with Shakeel Phinn, a decision many believed should have gone to Phinn. 

Despite that, Bazinyan holds the No. 2 ranking by the WBO, the No. 3 ranking by the WBA, the No. 6 ranking by the WBC and the No. 8 ranking by the IBF. 

Facing Munguia would represent a significant step up in competition for Bazinyan, whose notable victories include a stoppage win over Ronald Ellis last October and a majority decision win over Alantez Fox in February 2023.

Bazinyan has had only three fights outside of Canada – two in the United States and one in Mexico. The last time he fought in the U.S. was December 2019 against Saul Roman, whom he stopped in three rounds.