They were seen smiling throughout their meeting with the media and continued after sizing each other up face-to-face for the first time before their May 2 fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

But once the opening bell rings for the all-Mexican matchup, someone's smile will turn upside down after they’re done squaring off as part of a Cinco de Mayo weekend card headlined by David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez.

Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs) has plenty of reasons to be happy as the WBA super middleweight champion, coming into the clash off a career-best split decision win against Caleb Plant on May 31.

Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs), meanwhile, is in good spirits despite looking to hit the reset button on his career for a second time in 15 months. 

Munguia hasn’t fought since scoring a unanimous decision win against Bruno Surace on May 3 in a rematch to avenge his 2024 Upset of the Year and sixth-round knockout loss against the Frenchman.

Following the fight, however, Munguia tested positive for a banned substance that later was ruled "caused by accidental contamination with pregnenolone, a legal, non-banned substance."

“The past is in the past, and this is a new beginning,” Munguia told The Ring. “I feel better. I feel strong. You can call this last year active rest, and that's allowed me to feel real good.

“This fight will influence my legacy, there is no doubt about it. My hunger to be a world champion again is high, and I am ready for the challenge. Resendiz is a fighter who I respect a lot. He did a great job against a quality opponent like Caleb Plant, but I am going to be ready.” Munguia, a former 154-pound titleholder, will head into the fight after completing a second training camp with coach Eddy Reynoso. Munguia went from being a rival of Saul Alvarez to a teammate of the Mexican superstar following his May 2024 loss to Canelo. 

Munguia anticipates his second high-profile civil war to be a successful battle. 

“The fans are excited to see two top Mexican fighters facing off,” said Munguia. “It's a guarantee that they’re not going to be let down. It's going to be a great fight and an amazing war.”

Resendiz’s confidence is at an all-time high after scoring The Ring’s 2025 Upset of the Year. “Toro” Resendiz, The Ring’s No. 6-ranked super middleweight, has revived his career since getting stopped in eight rounds by the since-faded Elijah Garcia in September 2023.

“I'm happy because I have a lot of reasons to be,” Resendiz told The Ring. “I am blessed to be in this position. I have to seize this opportunity and rise to the occasion again. 

“It's going to be a war, an amazing fight and I'm definitely ready. I don't see how the preparation will go out the window once we are in a war. Yes it's going to be a brawl, but you will see the best version of myself.”

The Manny Robles-trained fighter is focused on scoring another significant win to better position himself for a slugfest against Canelo for next year’s Cinco de Mayo weekend showcase.

“I'm not paying attention to any of [Munguia’s PED saga]. Munguia is a quality fighter and I am going to give it my all to come away with the win,” Resendiz said, with a smile.  

“Now I find myself inspiring the kids from where I came from in Nayarit. That means a lot to me. Oh yeah, and now when I go to eat at restaurants back home, they don't charge me.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.