By Ian S Palmer
Unbeaten WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Jaime Munguia of Mexico is back in the ring this Saturday, April 13th when defends his title for the fourth time since July. He’ll be taking on Dennis Hogan of Ireland in Monterrey, Mexico. The 12-round bout can be seen live in North America on DAZN. Munguia last fought in January when he beat Takeshi Inoue of Japan by unanimous decision in a tough fight. Hogan’s last outing was in December when he beat Jamie Weetch by unanimous decision to retain his IBF Pan Pacific and WBO Intercontinental Junior Middleweight Titles.
The 22-year-old Munguia of Tijuana definitely likes to stay active as this will be his 33rd fight since turning pro in July of 2013 when he was a teenager. He enters the contest with a perfect mark of 32-0 along with 26 big Kos. He stepped up in class against Sadam Ali when he stopped him in five rounds last May for the title and looked like a beast while stopping him convincingly. He then beat the experienced Liam Smith by unanimous decision in a highly-entertaining fight with plenty of back and forth action.
That fight also highlighted Munguia’s defensive shortcomings, but that’s a part of what makes him so exciting. Of course the other part of his fan-friendly style is the fact that he has some dynamite in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 81 per cent. He went 128-10 in the amateurs and has 116 rounds of pro experience under his belt since then. Munguia got the title shot against Ali when Liam Smith pulled out of the bout due to an injury. Munguia jumped at the chance and in hindsight it was a huge mistake on Ali’s part.
Munguia entered the fight as a hungry boxer who wanted to make a name for himself on the world stage and he certainly did that with his impressive performance. Munguia is close to 6-feet-1-inch tall, but has an unlisted reach. He’ll be taking on the 34-year-old Hogan who fights out of Australia. He enters the contests with a mark of 28-1-1 with just 7 Kos. He’s been fighting as a pro since 2011 and has boxed 214 rounds since.
Hogan doesn’t have much in the way of power with a current knockout ratio of 23 per cent. He also gives up four inches in height to the champion as he’s just 5-feet-8-inches tall with a 68.6-inch reach. Hogan’s lone career loss came to Jack Culcay via a unanimous decision in December of 2015. His draw was a five round affair with Edmund Eramiha in 2011. Hogan reportedly fought over 150 times as an amateur in Ireland.
Since turning pro he’s won several regional and minor titles including; the Australia – Queensland State Super Middleweight Title, the Australia – Queensland State Middleweight Title and the Australian Middleweight crown. He’s also captured the Celtic Nations, WBA Oceania, WBA-NABA USA , WBO Oriental, and WBO Intercontinental Junior Middleweight Titles. His biggest wins have been over Jimmy Kelly, Yuki Nonaka, Kenny Abril, Tyrone Brinson, Robbie Bryant and Nathan Carroll.
Prediction…
Hogan has good boxing skills and a solid chin, but he’s small, doesn’t have the experience against top-class boxers and has no power to speak of. Munguia should eventually overpower him along the way to successfully defend his title yet again.
