Golden Boy and DAZN will continue the tradition of delivering pugilistic action on Mexican Independence Day Weekend as Jaime Munguia (33-0, 26 KOs) takes on Patrick Allotey (40-3, 30 KOs) in a 12-round fight for the WBO junior middleweight world title at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. The event will take place on Saturday, September 14 and will be streamed live on DAZN.
In the co-main event, rising star Ryan Garcia (18-0, 15 KOs) of Victorville, Calif. will take on Avery “A Plus” Sparrow (10-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a 10-round lightweight fight.
“We’re excited to be able to continue this tradition that we know many fans anticipate, and this year we’re putting on a series of exhilarating fights that will make for an entertaining night,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Jaime Munguia is an undefeated world champion who has become one of Mexico’s biggest boxing stars. Meanwhile, Patrick Allotey has an impressive skillset with years of experience under his belt. The styles are guaranteed to make a war. We’ve also put together a full card of action in order to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.”
Munguia is a 22-year-old world champion of Tijuana, Mexico who catapulted to the highest levels of the 154-pound division by knocking out Sadam “World Kid” Ali in May to capture the WBO Junior Middleweight World Title. Since then, Munguia has defended his title against the likes of Liam “Beefy” Smith, Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook, Takeshi Inoue and Dennis Hogan. Munguia will now represent his country on the most important date for Mexican boxing.
“I feel very happy for the opportunity of headlining a card on Sept. 14,” said Jaime Munguia. “That’s the best date for boxing in the entire year. It’s a great date for Mexico because that’s when we celebrate Mexican Independence Day. I’m proud and honored to be representing Mexico in the festivals for my country. I’ll give my best and I’ll try to deliver a great fight for all the people and for those who will see us.”
Allotey is a 28-year-old native of Accra, Ghana who debuted as a professional in 2006 when he was only 16 years old. Though suffering losses against Golden Boy’s Patrick Teixeira and standout contender Kanat Islam, Allotey is coming off six victories in a row.
“I respect Munguia. He is a great fighter,” said Patrick Allotey. “But I’m an African warrior, so you know I’ll be coming to cause a big surprise.”
“I’m very excited for Jaime Munguia’s next fight date as he’ll be headlining on Sept. 14, which is an important date for Mexico,” said Fernando Beltran, President of Zanfer Promotions. “I am very proud because our representative will fight on the most important date for Mexicans.
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“Sparrow is basically an undefeated fighter with a good amateur background,” Ryan Garcia. “People in boxing that know boxing will know this isn’t an easy fight. It will not be overlooked.”
“I’m thankful to Golden Boy and Russell Peltz for the opportunity,” said Avery Sparrow. “Ryan Garcia has yet to be tested, and it’s a big step up for him. It’s not much of a step up in opposition for me. It’s his biggest test, not mine. I’m good fighting at 130, but nobody wants to fight me there, so I’m moving up to 135. I look forward to putting on a great show.”
“It’s a difficult fight for Sparrow,” said Russell Peltz. “Once again he has to move up in weight from 130 to 135. None of the 130-pounders want to fight him. However, I am not a big believer that weight difference will determine the outcome. The outcome will be determined by who is the better fighter so long as the judges are fair, and I am sure they will be. Garcia has a prettier record, but Sparrow can more than handle himself.”
Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (32-7-1, 22 KOs) of Tlalnepantla, Mexico will defend his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title in a 12-round fight against Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-3-2, 11 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey. Cano will return from his upset victory over Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares, and he will look to fight for a world title at 140 pounds if successful against Perez.
Filipino rising star “Ruthless” Romero Duno (20-1, 15 KOs) will defend his NABO Lightweight Title in a 10-round fight.
Armenian contender Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (17-3, 14 KOs) will return in a 10-round super bantamweight clash.
Alejandro “Pin Pon” Reyes of Los Angeles, Calif. will make his professional debut in a four-round lightweight fight against Jorge Padron (3-4, 3 KOs) of Sonora, Mexico.
I hope Allotey wins. But then he’d have to rematch Munguia. And still more, Patrick Teixeira is #2 in the WBO, another Golden Boy fighter. It seems Golden Boy has the WBO belt at 154 on lock down, just like Top Rank has the WBO belt at 147 on lock down. And they keep crying about Crawford having nobody to fight, but yet, Egidijus Kavaliauskas #1 WBO contender at 147, with Top Rank. Alexander Besputin is #1 in the WBA, #3 in the IBF, at 147, and is with Top Rank. These promoters are all trying to make a monopoly, division by division. Top Rank could make Besputin vs Crawford now, if Besputin is so highly rated by 2 of the orgs, hard to understand why he doesn’t crack the top 15 in the WBO at 147. So Crawford is on the same side of the street as Kavaliauskas, and Besputin. And could fight both of these guys in his next 2 fights. Freddy Kiwitt, #13 in the WBO, is a fighter I saw on youtube, and he looked good in his fight from 7/20. Coming off of 2 wins with 2 vacant regional titles on the line, Kiwitt is someone Crawford could consider to bring over for a New York fight. Better to fight a young guy rather than 40 year old Pacquiao or 38 year old Collazo.
You want you celebrate “Mexican independence”?….celebrate IN Mexico!
Again with this divisive none sense!
Not interested in watching a couple of walk overs. I can somewhat see Garcia being matched light but Munguia is supposed to be good, yet they still have to match him “right.” Can’t take a chance there might be another Hogan out there can we?
Agree about the walkovers. As for should they still be careful with these guys…I think yes to both. If anything Garcia is the more finished product. Munguia is still very raw despite having a silly title. Who’d he beat? Saddam Ali who probably should have been fighting at 140 instead of 154. If they respected the strap, then they’d vacate and continue to finish Mungia’s development.