This Saturday, December 14, Top Rank Boxing brings us a super middleweight clash live from Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico. Jaime Munguia, the hometown hero, faces France’s undefeated Bruno Surace in a 10-round main event streaming live on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Let’s cut to it. Munguia (44-1, 35 KOs) is on a redemption arc after his 2024 was as bumpy as a Tijuana back road. Sure, he kicked off the year with a ninth-round demolition of John Ryder, but then came May’s Canelo Alvarez fight—a big-ticket bout where Munguia hit the canvas and left with a unanimous decision loss. Credit where it’s due, he bounced back in September with a 10th-round knockout against Erik Bazinyan, but let’s face it: Bazinyan wasn’t exactly the stuff of nightmares.
Then there’s Bruno Surace (25-0-2, 4 KOs). The Frenchman might be undefeated, but with only four knockouts, he’s not exactly scaring the heavy hitters. Surace’s claim to fame? Beating Milos Jankovic and Jhon Jader Obregon. Who? Exactly. This fight is Surace’s first big leap onto the international stage. Can he handle the heat, or will he fold faster than a cheap lawn chair?
While Munguia is the clear favorite, this matchup isn’t without intrigue. It’s a chance for Surace to prove he’s more than an undefeated record padded with soft touches. For Munguia, it’s about keeping his name relevant and maybe landing another blockbuster fight in 2025.
As for the ESPN+ broadcast, the irony of hyping this as a “super middleweight showdown” isn’t lost on us. But hey, maybe Munguia will land another knockout, or maybe Surace will shock us all—stranger things have happened.
Key Details:
- Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
- Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
- Location: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
- Live on: Live on ESPN+
Fighter Profiles
Jaime Munguia (44-1, 35 KOs)
- Age: 28
- Hometown: Tijuana, Mexico
- Accomplishments: Former junior middleweight world champion.
- Recent Fights:
- Win – KO vs. John Ryder (Jan 2024).
- Loss – UD vs. Canelo Alvarez (May 2024).
- Win – KO vs. Erik Bazinyan (Sep 2024).
- Key Strengths: Power punching, hometown support, experience in big fights.
Bruno Surace (25-0-2, 4 KOs)
- Age: 26
- Hometown: France
- Accomplishments: Undefeated record, stepping onto the international stage.
- Recent Fights:
- Win – UD vs. Milos Jankovic (May 2023).
- Win – UD vs. Jhon Jader Obregon (Dec 2023).
- Key Strengths: Discipline, strong fundamentals, undefeated confidence.
- Key Weakness: Lack of knockout power.
