LOS ANGELES: Jaime Munguia told ProBox TV on Tuesday that new trainer Freddie Roach can help lead him to a big knockout win over John Ryder when they come to blows January 17 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
"We're very happy with Freddie in our corner," Munguia told us in Spanish. "I feel like he's going to be a big factor in winning this fight."
Earlier, he said: "I began to train with Freddie Roach because he is an excellent trainer and has an incredible roster of current and former world champions he has worked with on an international level. It was a great decision to integrate our teams together.
Munguia, 27, is one of Mexico's rising boxing stars. A staple on DAZN, the Golden Boy Promotions boxer is a former WBO light middleweight champion, has beaten the likes of Liam Smith, Gary O'Sullivan, and Gabriel Rosado, and, last year, defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko by decision in a Fight of the Year contender.
"It was a great fight," Munguia told us. But stopped short of saying whether a repeat against Ryder could be on the cards.
Ryder, of course, is confident he can cause an upset against Munguia.
"I think that without a doubt everyone comes with desire and obviously I want to knock him out too, so we will see who is better in the ring," he said.
"I don't know if it's going to be like the Derevyanchenko fight but I feel it's going to be a great fight."
He continued: "I honestly feel like I can knock John Ryder out. That's what we are working towards.
"Obviously, once you step inside the ring anything can change. But we're training to get inside the ring in optimal condition, and if we can't get the knockout we will be making sure we get the decision."
The Munguia-Ryder card will air on DAZN.
