Munguia looks prepared for his close-up on the grandest stage following yet another commanding triumph on Saturday.

Should Saturday night serve as a trial for Jaime Munguia’s aspirations to face Mexican heavyweight champion Canelo Alvarez in May, the undefeated slugger made an incredible impression.

At the Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) stopped the tough John Ryder (32-7, 18 KOs) via unanimous decision after scoring four knockdowns. Prior to his bout with Munguia, the 35-year-old Ryder, who fought Alvarez over a 12-round distance in May of last year, declared he would retire if he lost.

When asked about a potential fight with Alvarez, Munguia remarked, “It would truly be a great fight among Mexicans,” through a translator. “If Canelo gives us a chance, it would be an honour to share the ring next to him.”

The 27-year-old Munguia really seemed like a different fighter in his debut bout with trainer Freddie Roach after fellow Hall of Famer Erik Morales decided to concentrate on a political career. The Mexican native, who started playing professionally in 2013 at the age of sixteen, appeared more composed and mature than ever. He was also a deadly combination player.

Munguia got an early advantage from a distance with a very methodical attack, and in Round 2, a combination knocked Ryder out in the corner. Munguia launched an offensive after that and, according to CompuBox, outlanded Ryder by a score of 146 to 77 during the fight.

Down goes Ryder in the second from a series of punches by @JaimeMunguia15
💪#MunguiaRyder pic.twitter.com/qMVrMy5WW0

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 28, 2024

Munguia said, “I’m very happy and I was ready for this.” “I am aware of how hard I worked to achieve this. I am aware that many people didn’t think highly of me, but hard effort has paid off. We’re prepared to handle 168 pounds.

Ryder leaned on his respected chin the entire time, and he was game, but he couldn’t muster a late comeback like he did against Alvarez.

After squaring up, Munguia got his second knockdown in Round 4 with a counterjab that knocked Ryder off balance. Every time Ryder scored, usually with a lead right hook, Munguia would recover to establish distance before launching himself forward with a technique that was notably better.

“Last time, I was throwing punches like crazy but this time my timing was perfect,” stated Munguia. “Ryder is a hard-charging, determined fighter. I punched him so hard in the head that my hands hurt.”

Munguia started Round 8 looking for a finish, clearly hurting Ryder with a powerful right cross, but Ryder countered brilliantly, causing Munguia to circle away and take cover. For Ryder, the joy was short-lived as Round 9 became his reckoning.

John Ryder’s momentum comes to a halt as @JaimeMunguia15 roars back with power shots of his own to nearly send Ryder back to the mat 👀#MunguiaRyder pic.twitter.com/A4iqOOuFSo

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 28, 2024

After taking a right cross to the top of his head, Ryder staggered backwards and was hit by another right. Moments later, Munguia scored his fourth and second knockdowns of the bout on a body shot.

However, referee Wes Melton was blind to Ryder’s corner trying to throw in the towel. Ryder was able to hold on until the bell, but at the end of the round, his corner broke up the fight.

“I feel fantastic. “I’m fired up for the next battle,” Munguia remarked. “Compared to this one, it will be bigger and better. I promise that I will always improve. Nothing is on the table, and we don’t yet know who [the opponent] is. However, at 168 pounds, we want the best of the best. We’re going to win.

In September of last year, Alvarez, 33, convincingly defeated Jermell Charlo, the undisputed junior middleweight champion, in his fourth defence of the 168-pound championship. Recent reports have connected him to a potential May comeback matchup with Jermall Charlo, the WBC middleweight champion and Jermell’s twin brother.