Former WBO 154lbs champion Jaime Munguia continued his assault on the middleweight division with a hard-fought sixth round win over Bahamian Tureano Johnson at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, on Friday night.
A right uppercut split open the upper lip of Johnson in the sixth bringing an end to a spirited encounter. Last seen upsetting Irish hope Jason Quigley (WRTD9) in July 2019, the switch-hitting Johnson (21-3-1, 15 KOs) brought considerable fire before the injury, caused by a punch, led the fight to be stopped at the end of the sixth following a ringside doctor’s inspection earlier in the round.
“I was surprised by Johnson’s pressure,” Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) told DAZN’s Sofia Zinger afterwards. “I wanted to establish my power but was pressured from the get-go, My uppercuts were key in turning things in my favour.
“He has a style that makes one very uncomfortable. But my corner told me to adjust and find my distance. Then I found the right uppercut. I saw that he had gotten cut from it and then it was just a matter of time. I am ready for all the best fighters of my division.
“I want another fight in January and then hope for a world title fight. I will see what my promoter Fernando Beltran has in store for me and will be ready for any challenge.”
On the undercard, WBO junior flyweight champion Elwin Soto outscored Nicaraguan veteran Carlos Buitrago (32-6-1, 18 KOs & 1 NC) over 12 rounds. Scores were 119-109, 117-111 and 115-113.
“I’m very happy to walk away with the victory,” said Mexican Soto (18-1, 12 KOs). “I tried to pressure as much as I could to score a win. These are the kind of tough fights you are in when a world title is at stake. His style was difficult for me, but I felt I did enough to win. Now it’s time for me to rest and see what my team has in store for me.”
Main image: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions.