It’s been a while since the last update, but it looks like Gennadiy Golovkin vs Jaime Munguia is still on the table. Zanfer’s Fernando Beltran tells ESPN Knockout that “Munguia and his representatives are pushing hard” to stage the fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend, but that they have a backup plan to fight in April if negotiations fall flat.
Unbeaten Kazakh Kanat Islam, whom Munguia (36-0, 29 KO) intended to face on last year’s doomed Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders card, is apparently among the Mexican youngster’s potential foes. Islam has fought just twice since 2017, defeating Walter Kautondokwa in October of 2019 last time out.
Beltran is not short of confidence in his charge, comparing the Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KO) matchup to Erik Morales’ star-making defeat of Daniel Zaragoza. This would certainly be an upset for the ages and set up a massive all-Mexican clash between Munguia and Canelo Alvarez, with whom he may potentially share a card on May 8th.
That said, Munguia does have another path to a title should Golovkin decline. His time as WBO super welterweight champion earned him a spot atop their middleweight rankings, so once Demetrius Andrade faces Liam Williams, the winner will then have to meet Munguia. Still, that Golovkin matchup is mighty appealing, and a Cinco de Mayo double bill with Canelo-Saunders would be something special.