Armando Reséndiz and Jaime Munguía grew up along Mexico’s Pacific coast, building careers that came to represent their home states. For Reséndiz, it is Nayarit. For Munguía, Baja California.
Boxing was never guaranteed to work in their favor, but both fighters flipped the script. In separate moments, each delivered upset wins on U.S. soil, beating the house fighter and forcing their names into bigger conversations.
Now they meet May 2 in Las Vegas on the David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez card. “El Toro” Reséndiz, the WBA interim super middleweight champion from Rincón de Guayabitos, defends his title against Munguía, a more experienced former champion trying to reestablish himself at the top.
Though they’ve both received defeats under the lights of the T-Mobile Arena, they arrive here through very different paths.
Munguía’s career has been built on activity and exposure. He turned professional young, fought often, and steadily climbed through the ranks with major promotional backing. His résumé reflects years of rounds, adjustments, and headline fights. Now 29, he enters this bout with a new structure around him, training under Eddy Reynoso and alongside Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“The mentality is the most important thing,” Reynoso told Boxing Social. “After a loss like that, you have to work on everything, especially mentally. He’s overcome it.”
That loss still lingers in the background. Munguía (45-2, 35 KOs) was stopped in a moment that shifted how he is evaluated, even after returning with a decision win that felt underwhelming. He pushed back on the idea that it carries into this fight.
“I think the worst already passed,” Munguía said. “Fear is the last thing I have.”
He also understands the stakes of facing another Mexican opponent on a major stage.
“A fight between Mexicans is always a great fight,” he said. “This one won’t be the exception.”
Reséndiz’s trajectory has been less conventional. With fewer fights, his development has relied more on timing and opportunity than volume. His breakthrough came with a stoppage win over former champion Caleb Plant, a performance that shifted him from underdog to titleholder.
Since linking up with Manny Robles, his growth has been steady and visible.
“He’s evolved very well,” Robles said. “With every fight, he looks better and better.”
Reséndiz (16-2, 11 KOs) credits that environment for sharpening both his discipline and his adaptability. In camp, he has shared the ring with top contenders, constantly adding new tools and adjusting his approach.
“I like to keep learning,” Reséndiz said. “I don’t always come in the same way. I like to bring something new every time.”
That mindset extends to how he approaches Munguía. There is respect, but no hesitation.
“There’s respect outside the ring,” he said. “But in there, you have to do your job and let your hands go.”
Robles sees the contrast between the fighters clearly.
“They’re different,” he said. “Munguía has more experience, more tough fights. But Toro is in his best moment right now.”
That contrast defines the matchup. Munguía brings experience, rounds, and the backing of one of boxing’s most established camps. Reséndiz brings momentum, confidence, and the edge of a fighter still climbing.
Both have also navigated inactivity. Neither has fought since last year, removing any clear advantage in timing. For Robles, that is not a concern.
“He’s always in the gym,” he said. “You have to treat this like a job and always be ready.”
Munguía views his own layoff differently, as a chance to reset.
“This year helped me recover my body,” he said. “But I never stopped working. I feel very good.”
Stylistically, the fight points toward action. Munguía expects it to end early.
“I don’t think it goes 12 rounds,” he said. “We’re going to look for the knockout.”
Reséndiz does not frame it in those terms. His focus stays on execution, discipline, and listening to his corner.
“Give everything I have,” he said. “Do my job and stay disciplined.”
There is also a shared understanding between them. Before becoming opponents, Reséndiz was one of many Mexican fighters who supported Munguía from afar. Munguía acknowledged that dynamic, but does not see it as unusual.
“If I saw him fight someone else, I would support him too,” Munguía said. “You always support the Mexican.”
That mutual recognition adds another layer to a fight that already carries weight. Two fighters shaped by different systems, now meeting on one of boxing’s biggest weekends.
For Munguía, it is a chance to show growth and move past the questions that followed his knockout loss. For Reséndiz, it is a chance to confirm that his win over Plant was not just a moment, and he is deserving of an eventual Canelo showdown.
Either way, the result will clarify where each stands in a division that continues to shift. Experience on one side. Momentum on the other.
On May 2, one of them takes control of what comes next.
How to Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo
The Benavidez vs. Zurdo pay per view takes place Saturday, May 2, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by David Benavidez facing Gilberto Ramirez in a Mexico vs. Mexico main event.
The card begins at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT and is available on Prime Video as a pay per view, regardless of Prime membership. Fans can also purchase the event through DAZN, traditional cable and satellite providers, or PPV.com.
The undercard features Oscar Duarte vs. Angel Fierro, Isaac Lucero vs. Ismael Flores, and Jorge Chavez vs. Jose “Tito” Sanchez in an all-Mexican lineup.
Check out the video interviews:
