Staying busy Mexico’s Jaime Munguia finished off Argentina’s Gonzalo Coria with a body shot knockout that even the oversized body protector worn could not prevent on Saturday.

Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs) was three for three in 2022 and remained undefeated as he victimized Coria (21-6) in front of a Mexican crowd in Guadalajara. Two of his victories took place in Mexico and the other in Anaheim, California.

Seeking to widen his marketability Golden Boy Promotions and Zanfer have embarked on familiarizing fans on both sides of the border that more than two Mexican middleweights exist in the prizefighting landscape.

Munguia seeks to be another Mexican that cracks the ceiling toward super stardom. All he needs is a willing foe.

But Saturday was not marked for that occasion, it was merely to keep in step and that’s what the former super welterweight world titlist did against the southpaw fighter Coria.

The Argentine left-handed middleweight stepped into the prize ring with a protective belt raised above his belly button. That immediately was the tell-tale sign that body shots were not a favorite. It took Munguia less than three rounds to zero in on the liver.

Coria attempted to hit and hold, but it was an old tactic that worked years ago before Munguia began training with Erik “El Terrible” Morales. Though he tried to wrap his arms around Munguia he quickly discovered that between the referee’s warnings and the Mexican’s hammering fists it could not be done.

During the second round Coria lunged into punch Munguia and was caught with a short right counter and down he went. He got up to fight finish out the second round.

In the third round Munguia used feints and strategically cut off Coria’s exits. He also began targeting the body and connected with three consecutive left hooks. It was the beginning of the end. Coria tried to circle away and was met with several rights through his guard and then a left hook to the body and head. Down he went and he could not beat the count.

Munguia was declared the winner by knockout at 2:32 of the third round.

Now on to the bigger prizes, namely a guy from Kazakhstan.

“This year we couldn’t get Charlo,” said Munguia. “But I know we can get (Gennady) Golovkin. We can do it in May.”

It’s been three years since Munguia last held a world title. No more need for stay-ready fights.

Other Bouts

Argi Cortes (24-3-2, 10 KOs) survived two questionable knockdowns against former sparring partner Erick Lopez (16-7-2) to win by split decision after 10 rounds in a super flyweight match. It was close.

Cortes, who is trained by Nacho Beristain in the classic Beristain style, was unable to take advantage of the awkward shorter man style of Lopez. Slowly Cortes began to figure out how to defend against the looping shots and eke out the win.

A super lightweight clash saw Diego Torres (16-0, 15 KOs) floor Hector Osorio (6-2-1) twice before ending the fight with a flourish at 19 seconds into the third round.

Benito Sanchez (16-6-3) and Jose Angel Garcia (8-0-3) fought to a draw after 10 back and forth rounds in a super bantamweight fight. Garcia weighed eight pounds less than Sanchez.

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