Jose Armando Resendiz vs. Bektemir Melikuziev - WBA Mandatory

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jose Armando Resendiz officially elevated to WBA champion, must fight Bektemir Melikuziev

Seems like Jose Armando Resendiz won’t be fighting Edgar Berlanga after all

So long and good riddance to that Berlanga fight, apparently. Fernando Sabatini reports that the WBA has officially elevated former interim super middleweight champion Jose Armando Resendiz to replace the departing Terence Crawford, ordering “Toro” to take on mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev in the process.

Resendiz (16-2, 11 KO), a longtime middleweight whose best prior victory came over the shell of Jarrett Hurd, derailed PBC’s long-percolating plan to pit Caleb Plant against Jermall Charlo by outfoxing and overpowering “Sweethands” for the belt in May. He can now officially call himself a world champion, and while it’s easy to write him off as a fluke, it’s wroth remembering he’s just 26 and less than 20 fights into his pro career. Every reason to believe he’s a late bloomer.

“Bek the Bully” (16-1, 10 KO) has fallen a bit short of expectations, but he remains a skilled, powerful, and fan-friendly fighter when he’s on his game. After coming in heavy in an underwhelming split decision over David Stevens two Novembers ago, he showed his grit with a last-round knockdown of Darrius Fulghum to seal the deal in a May eliminator.

Neither of these guys are going to be challenging for the undisputed title anytime soon, but it’s a well-matched scrap with Fight of the Year of the Week potential. I’m here for it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA elevates Jose Armando Resendiz To Full WBA 168-pound Champion

Jose Armando Resendiz’s 2026 is off to a great start.

Following the retirement of former undisputed super middleweight champion, Terence Crawford, the WBA has elevated its interim titlist, Resendiz, to full champion.

Crawford’s decision to retire came just months after his September win over Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Initially, the former five-division champion flirted with the idea of moving down in weight to chase a middleweight title. However, Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), at the age of 38, decided to walk away.

Resendiz, the immediate beneficiary of that decision, grabbed the WBA’s interim strap thanks to his upset win over Caleb Plant on May 31. Although he was viewed as a gigantic underdog, Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs) applied relentless pressure throughout their clash and snatched victory.

In addition to the WBA elevating Resendiz, the sanctioning body placed Bektemir Melikuziev as their No. 1 contender.

A mandatory bout between them could be ordered; however, as first reported by The Ring, Resendiz is currently negotiating a matchup with hard-hitting, popular star Edgar Berlanga.

The 28-year-old contender is currently ranked No. 12 with the WBA. He was last in action against Hamzah Sheeraz on 'Ring III' and was brutally stopped in five rounds on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

If Resendiz vs. Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) does take place, it will fall in the first quarter of the year.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I mean.. there's more money in him fighting Berlanga right?

Unless we have some decent purse bids against Bek..

He's just become an email world champion.

Let's see what he does.

[MPW]

I can only hope the WBA sticks to its guns - what are the chances of that? - and forces Resendez vs. Melikuziev, which should be a decent fight. Berlanga in no way, shape, or form deserves a title shot.