Jaime Munguia vs. D’Mitrius Ballard: Quotes ahead of February 19

Jaime Munguia vs. D’Mitrius Ballard

Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in Tijuana, Mexico – 19 February 2022

Former world champion, and undefeated Mexican middleweight star, Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, and Prince George County, M.D.’s, D’Mitrus “Big Meech” Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) will host a media conference call today to talk about their upcoming fight on February 19, live on DAZN worldwide excluding Mexico. The 12-round fight for Munguia’s WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title will be hosted at the iconic Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in Tijuana, Mexico.

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. PT and are priced at $250MX, $700MX, $2,000MX, $3,500MX, $5000MX not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.arema.com.mx and at their participating retailers.

Below are what the fighters had to say about their upcoming event.

JAIME MUNGUIA

“I am very happy to be coming back to Tijuana, the city that saw me grow up and has supported me throughout my career. And I am very motivated to work hard for the people of Tijuana.

“I have a big responsibility to my hometown after fighting far from home for a long time. I’m coming back being a world champion at 154lbs., have become a figure in the boxing world, it’s a big responsibility and I know it. I prepared every day to make my hometown proud and have to really concentrate to not let in the distractions from home.

“I am very happy about the changes Erik Morales has made to my training. I have always been a defensive fighter, but I would always get stuck, it’s a mental thing. Erick has taught me to think more, breathe, relax, take my time and control the timing of the fight. His training has influenced my style by throwing more combinations making sure I use my jab. Plus he has a lot of experience in the ring as well and I trust his judgment.

“I remember going by the Plaza Monumental de Playas De Tijuana when I was a kid and would dream of one day being able to fight there. I went to a fight there featuring Julio Cesar Chavez and Zorrita Soto and it was full of people. It was amazing. On February 19, I am going to be so proud to be there representing Mexico, representing Tijuana.”

D’MITRIUS BALLARD

“I have seen Jaime fight on these big cards in DAZN for the last 2 years and there is plenty of footage on him. He is a great fighter, he comes forward and gets the job done. I am very confident in my skills and I feel like February 19 will be my time.

“My elbow injury was pretty serious at the time to keep me out of the ring. But right now, we have rehabbed it very well and my last fight in November, I had no issues with it and I feel very confident.

“It doesn’t bother me that we are fighting in Tijuana, as a fighter, generally speaking, it is expected to go into hostile environments, into enemy territory and take their belt, win the fight. Andre Ward did it, Errol Spence did it, Terence Crawford did it, Kambosos just did it, I can go on and on. It’s required of us, it’s required of boxers, it’s part of the journey. It’s just my time and my opportunity.

“I am extremely excited. I had a long layoff before the November 13th fight. To be 28 and 21-0 and a fight with Jaime, this is what I have dreamed of. When they told me it would be in Mexico I had no problem with it. This is a big opportunity for me, for my career.

“I know that I am a big underdog in this fight, mostly because people don’t know much about me. But I have a lot of experience and have been in training camps with high-profile champions like Canelo. I am just ready to take what I know is mine.”

Subscribe to our new YouTube Channel with the latest boxing news and results, gossip and information from around the world. Just click the image below or any of the images for all our social media:

For the list of the latest boxing news and boxing results, click the following latest boxing news & results