Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan Press Conference Notes
ESPN-televised tripleheader will be broadcast LIVE this FRIDAY beginning at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT
Jaime Munguia wants another shot at becoming a two-division world champion, but first, he’ll have to get past an unbeaten puncher.
Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) will face Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) in the 12-round main event Friday evening at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
After his January stoppage victory over British veteran John Ryder at Footprint Center, Mexican Munguia will return to the Phoenix area. In May, he made an unsuccessful bid for the undisputed crown against countryman Canelo Alvarez.
In the eight-round heavyweight co-feature, Olympic silver medal standout Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) will fight Philadelphia-born veteran Joey Dawejko (28-11-4, 16 KOs).
Junior welterweight prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) will open the three-fight ESPN broadcast in an eight-rounder versus upset-minded Irishman Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs)
Munguia-Bazinyan, Torrez-Dawejko, and Vargas-Fryers will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard begins at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT and includes a 10-round junior lightweight clash between unbeaten Filipino Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) and Texas-born puncher Jorge Castañeda (17-3, 13 KOs).
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
This is what the fighters had to say at Wednesday’s press conference.
Jaime Munguia
“I’m very excited to return on this important, patriotic month for my country. It’s an honour to have my first fight with Top Rank.
“I’m excited to be once again working with my old team. I’m excited to be back in Big Bear. It’s been a great preparation. It’s been one of the best preparations of my career, and we’re going to have a great fight.
“We have had a tough time since last year. We’ve had great fights against great fighters. We’ve been on great stages as well. That has helped us to get a lot of confidence. We learn more with each camp and will apply all the experience we have learned.
“It’s a very important fight. He’s an aggressive fighter who gives a great show to the people. I know it’s going to be a tough fight, but I’m going to walk away with my hand raised.”
Erik Bazinyan
“I’ve been in against top fighters for the past few years. I’ve fought and beaten anyone that my team has brought to me. This is a great opportunity. And I’m here to win.
“We are very well prepared. We have a great game plan and had a great training camp with Marc . We have done everything possible to win.
“It’s the right time for this fight. I have been ready for the past couple of years. When I get an opportunity like this, I take it. So, it’s time to let the world know who I am.”
Richard Torrez Jr.
“It’s hard to say I haven’t recognized , but it’s not something that I search for. Growing up in the amateurs and pros now, I’ve really noticed that the more you look for it, the less likely it is to come.
“I think fireworks happen. I’m really excited for Friday night because I think he’s going to come to fight. He’s ready to show out for the crowd and likewise for me. I think it’s going to be a really cool battle. I don’t think we’re going to take steps back too much. I’m excited to put on a show for Arizona.”
Joey Dawejko
“It feels great. It’s amazing. I fought on Top Rank cards a few times. I’m happy to be back now, especially since I’ve been training and doing what I’m supposed to do.
“He’s a great prospect, silver medalist in the Olympics. I think it’s the right time in both of our careers for this fight. Obviously, they called me to test this guy. Taking this fight was easy for me because I’ve been in there with everybody and am used to different styles. I’m ready to show him how the pros work.
“I’ve focused on training this whole training camp. My roofing business took a back seat, so I could focus on what I have to.”
Emiliano Fernando Vargas
“I know Larry Fryers is coming to fight. He’s a fighter. He’s fighting for his dreams as well, the same way I am. Come Friday, I’m looking to put on a show. I’ve had some of my best performances here in Glendale, Arizona. I’m looking to continue to do the same thing and show the world that ‘El General’ is here to stay.
“Every fighter brings out a different side of me. He’s a hard-hitting fighter. He comes forward. He’s strong. He’s an Irish fighter. They come forward like Mexicans. So, he’s going to give his all, I’m going to give my all, and it’s going to be a great fight show for all the beautiful fans.
“This is the beautiful thing about boxing. It doesn’t lie. When you step into the ring, at the end of the day, it’s going to show if you did your miles, if you did your sparring. Everything shows at the end of the day. I may look like a pretty face, but at the end of the day, I’m a fighter.”
Larry Fryers
“This kid is a special talent. My job is to see if he is the real deal. Look, I’m here, determined, and ready to, unfortunately, wreck his dreams to make mine possible. That’s what is going to happen on Friday night.”
“Emiliano, he’s got talent, he’s got skill. He’s got everything he needs to get to the top. But he’s never had someone like me face him. Come Friday night, I’m going to bring him into deep waters. We’re going to see if he can swim or not.
“He’s a fighter in his own right. Like I’m hoping, on Friday night, me and him are going to do a blood-and-guts war, and we’re going to bring out the best in each other.”
Running Order
ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT
Jaime Munguia vs. Erik Bazinyan, 12 rounds, super middleweight
Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Joey Dawejko, 8 rounds, heavyweight
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Larry Fryers, 8 rounds, junior welterweight
ESPN+ (6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT)
Charly Suarez vs. Jorge Castañeda, 10 rounds, Vacant WBO International junior lightweight title
Alan Garcia vs. Ricardo Fernandez, 8 rounds, junior welterweight
DJ Zamora vs. Gerardo Antonio Perez, 8 rounds, junior lightweight
Steven Navarro vs. Oscar Arroyo, 6 rounds, junior bantamweight
Jorge Garcia Perez vs. Ilias Essaoudi, 10 rounds, junior middleweight
Sebastian Hernandez vs. Yonfrez Parejo, 8 rounds, junior featherweight