Jaime Munguía’s revenge victory over Bruno Surace is on the brink of being scrubbed from the record books. Post-fight VADA testing has revealed exogenous testosterone in the Mexican contender’s May 4 sample, casting doubt over his unanimous-decision win in Riyadh and placing him at risk of suspension, a fine, and an official No-Contest.
Munguía had avenged last December’s shock knockout loss by outboxing the previously unbeaten Surace on the Canelo-Scull undercard, scoring cards of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112. The rebound looked even sweeter under new trainer Eddy Reynoso, yet the adverse finding now leaves the 28-year-old with just one legitimate win in his last four outings if the result is overturned.
Under VADA protocol the former WBO 154-lb champion has 10 days to request a B-sample analysis, but reversal of an A-sample result is exceedingly rare. Absent evidence of contamination, the British Boxing Board of Control will be expected to impose disciplinary measures and restore Surace’s spotless record.
Watch Munguia vs. Surace highlights: Watch
The development is a fresh blow to a career already stalling at super-middleweight. Since moving to 168 in 2023, Munguía has suffered defeats to Canelo Álvarez and Surace, with only stoppage wins over John Ryder and Erik Bazinyan breaking the slide. A potential suspension would sideline the Tijuana star just as the division’s title picture intensifies.
For Surace, the failed test may offer poetic justice: the Frenchman had accepted the rematch on short notice after negotiations briefly collapsed, only to watch his upset of the year erased in Saudi Arabia. Now, pending the B-sample, the 31-year-old could regain his ‘0’ without throwing another punch - while Munguía faces the toughest fight of his career outside the ropes.
Image Credit: The Ring