In a thrilling rematch held at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jaime Munguía secured a decisive victory over Bruno Surace by unanimous decision on May 3, 2025. This fight marked a significant comeback for Munguía, who was looking to avenge his previous knockout loss to Surace in December 2024 in Tijuana.
The bout was characterized by strategic exchanges, with Munguía demonstrating a more cautious approach compared to their last encounter. From the outset, he maintained his distance, carefully avoiding Surace's powerful counterattacks. Surace, known for his ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes, sought to exploit any defensive lapses from Munguía. However, the Mexican fighter had learned from his past experience, ensuring he kept his guard up throughout the fight.
According to CompuBox statistics, Munguía landed a total of 105 punches, significantly outpacing Surace, who managed only 64. In terms of power punches, Munguía dominated with 77 landed compared to Surace's 35, although Surace did manage to edge out Munguía in jabs, landing 29 to Munguía's 28.
The judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112, reflecting Munguía's clear superiority over the twelve rounds. Despite not achieving a knockout, Munguía's performance was commanding, as he pressured Surace consistently, particularly in the later rounds.
In the fourth round, Munguía faced some adversity, suffering a nosebleed from a right hand delivered by Surace. This moment, however, seemed to fuel his determination as he pressed forward, looking to land decisive blows that could turn the tide in his favor. By the sixth round, Munguía had begun to corner Surace against the ropes, landing a series of combinations that visibly weakened his opponent.
As the fight progressed, Surace demonstrated resilience, managing to evade some of Munguía's most powerful strikes. However, the Mexican fighter's relentless pursuit and improved defensive techniques under the guidance of his new trainer, Eddy Reynoso, proved effective. "Me siento muy contento, fue una buena pelea, tuvimos un gran rival enfrente, espero que haya sido una buena pelea para todo el público," Munguía stated after the fight, reflecting on the importance of this victory for his career.
Following the bout, Munguía expressed his eagerness to continue his boxing journey, stating, "Hay Munguía para rato," indicating his readiness for future challenges. He mentioned potential matchups against notable fighters like Edgar Berlanga and Caleb Plant, signaling his ambition to compete at the highest levels.
This victory not only improved Munguía's record to 45 wins (35 by knockout) and 2 losses but also reinstated his confidence after two consecutive defeats in 2024, one of which was against Surace. The fight served as a redemption arc for Munguía, who had previously faced criticism for his defensive capabilities.
As the audience cheered him on from the eighth round, hoping for a knockout, Munguía remained focused on his strategy, showcasing his ability to adapt and learn from past mistakes. The final rounds saw a series of exchanges, with Munguía showing superior power but unable to finish Surace before the final bell rang.
Reflecting on his performance, Munguía acknowledged the need for continuous improvement, particularly in his defensive skills, as he aims to reclaim a championship title in the future. "Sin duda fue una gran victoria, pero hay que seguir trabajando, hay que festejar trabajando," he concluded, emphasizing his commitment to hard work and preparation for upcoming fights.
Overall, this rematch was not just a win for Jaime Munguía; it was a statement of his resilience and determination to rise again in the boxing world. With a promising future ahead, fans can expect to see more of Munguía as he continues to push for greatness in the ring.
