Munguia handed Reynoso the coaching keys to his career following a shocking one-punch knockout loss by Bruno Surace in December 2024.

The 30-year-old titleholder, formerly trained by Erik Morales, Freddie Roach and Robert Alcazar, has combined with Reynoso for some remarkable results.

Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) beat Surace in a May 2025 rematch during the Alvarez-William Scull undercard.

He became the WBA 168-pound titleholder 12 months later, outpointing Armando Resendiz on May 2 with Alvarez vociferously cheering him on ringside in Las Vegas.

The next stop of Munguia's global tour arrives Saturday in Saudi Arabia when facing Nikita Zon (12-0-1, 10 KOs) as part of a "Mexico vs. The World" show DAZN will offer to subscribers of its Ultimate plan and on pay-per-view. 

In the headliner, Alvarez will attempt to become a three-time super middleweight champion when challenging WBC beltholder Christian Mbilli. Main event ring walks are estimated to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m.

"It's going to be a good fight and a knockout win for me — and I think Canelo is going to knock out Mbilli," Munguia told The Ring's Mike Coppinger. "I feel great, happy to respond to a top fight between Canelo and Mbilli. I feel happy to stay in the undercard and make another big fight."

 

Just don't expect them to rematch even if they're both active champions by night's end.

"I never thought that I would be training with Eddy. It's crazy. We've made a good team," Munguia said.

"I think that Canelo is without a doubt a great fighter and person. We get along very well in the gym. We respect everything. There is good communication and a good relationship, and we are working happily. It's motivating to be training alongside Canelo, and I'm getting stronger every day. 

"I feel that there was a big change in my performance in the ring against Resendiz. I brought everything in the ring, with my legs, my upper body movements, my jab and distance, and used everything from the gym in the ring. 

"Aside from Eddy giving me a lot of confidence in the ring, I think he knows how to discover the things that I do best and exploit those things in me. Before, I felt like I was more burdened or tied down to a certain style. That's why sometimes I could not perform in the best way."

Munguia is expected to zap the little-known Zon, a 32-year-old Russian who doesn't have a signature win. But Munguia was supposed to starch Surace as well during a homecoming in Tijuana, Mexico, only to end up on the wrong side of the Upset of the Year. 

Should Munguia get past Zon — a near -2000 betting favorite — he plans to fulfill his WBA mandatory obligation against Bektemir Melikuziev before pursuing Hamzah Sheeraz in 2027.

"I never thought that I would lose to Surace. But it's boxing, it was a surprise for me. I learned from the fight, and I'm better," Munguia said. 

"I'm very happy with Eddy Reynoso and Team Canelo. I feel very happy with my last performance. I think it will be a good fight for me against Zon."

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