Proving Ground

The seasoned Smith is ready to test whether Munguia is really as good as many people believe.

- Paul Wheeler

SADAM ALI had not been expecting to defend his world title against Jaime Munguia back in May. The then-WBO super-welterweight ruler, who was coming off a career-best victory over future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, had been scheduled to take on his mandatory challenger and former holder of the belt, Liam Smith. However, when a skin condition forced Smith to withdraw from the fight at the end of April, the undefeated but untested Munguia was drafted in as a late replacement. How Ali must now wish the WBO had selected another contender instead.

Looking almost like a lean light heavyweight taking on a pumped-up welterweight, the tall, physically imposing Munguia tore into Ali with thunderous power-punches from the outset. The champion was decked four times in total, before the referee stopped the shellacking in the fourth round to confirm the 21-year-old Mexican as the new WBO king, leading various observers to label him as his country’s next big thing.

As well as taking the WBO crown from Ali, the 29-0 (25) Munguia also inherited Smith, 26-1-1 (14), as his mandatory. It is against the Liverpudlian that he will make the first defence of his strap this Saturday ( July 21), live on BT Sport 1 (UK) and HBO (US). The joint effort between Golden Boy Promotions, Queensberry Promotions and Don King Productions will be staged at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which is a venue Smith is thrilled to be performing at.