Jaime Munguia will not face Gennady Golovkin in Las Vegas on May 5 despite a rumor suggesting he was in line to replace Canelo Alvarez in the fight.
ESPN’s Dan Rafael reported on Thursday that Munguia looked like he would be GGG’s opponent for the fight.
Not official yet but, according to multiple sources, it appears as though Mexico's unbeaten 21-year-old Jaime Munguia (28-0, 24 KOs) is going to be GGG's opponent on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on HBO PPV if the Nevada Commission approves him… https://t.co/xQnGgTf0cX
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) April 5, 2018
However, the LA Times’ Lance Pugmire, as well as others, have said Munguia will not get the fight.
Have done enough reporting to be able to say this with authority: Mexico’s Jaime Munguia (28-0, 24 KOs) will not be @GGGBoxing May 5 opponent.
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) April 5, 2018
Munguia is 28-0 with 24 knockouts, so his record is impressive. He also is Mexican, which is important to appeal to the Mexican audience on Cinco de Mayo. But he is just 21 and has not even come anywhere close to facing anyone nearly as good as Golovkin. Simply speaking, he is not ready for that type of fight yet. A report says the Nevada State Athletic Commission would not approve the fight due to Munguia’s lack of experience.
Golovkin is seeking a new opponent for the date after his original opponent, Alvarez, tested positive for clenbuterol, leading to the fight being called off.
