Jaime Munguia vs. Bektemir Melikuziev - WBA Ordered

[Ruthless-RKO]

The WBA has ordered Jaime Munguia to defend his super middleweight world title vs mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev.

The parties have until October 21st to reach a deal.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s a good fight. Shame the decent fights that get ordered don’t seem to be made.

[MPW]

It’s a good fight. Shame the decent fights that get ordered don’t seem to be made.

Indeed, this is a good fight with the potential to be a real firecracker. Both fighters are aggressive but have been unexpectedly stopped. Let's hope it comes to pass.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA ORDERS LOPEZ-CATTERALL, MUNGUIA-MELIKUZIEV

Teofimo Lopez has been ordered to defend his WBA welterweight title against Jack Catterall.

The sanctioning body ruled on Tuesday that both sides have until October 22 to come to an agreement or purse bids will be called.

For Catterall, the WBA’s ruling must be music to his ears. The 33-year-old southpaw from Chorley, England earned his position thanks to his unanimous decision victory over Shakhram Giyasov on May 23 in Giza, Egypt.

Prior to that bout, the sanctioning body made it clear that the winner of Catterall vs. Giyasov would face then-champion, Rolando “Rolly” Romero.
However, Romero would later lose his title on points to Lopez on August 22.

Although Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs), who’s on a three-fight win streak since moving up in weight, is satisfied with the WBA’s decision, Lopez won't be.

The former three-division champion was hoping to land a big fight in the first half of 2027 against WBC titlist Ryan Garcia. Lopez (23-2, 13 KOs) attempted to confront Garcia in the ring following his second-round stoppage win over Conor Benn on September 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Shortly after beating Romero (17-3, 13 KOs) by majority decision, Lopez, who bounced back from a wide unanimous decision defeat to Shakur Stevenson on January 31, stated that he wanted to become an undisputed welterweight champion. However, the 29-year-old from Brooklyn will now have to put those plans on hold for Catterall.

MUNGUIA ORDERED TO DEFEND VS. MELIKUZIEV

The WBA deemed Jaime Munguia's 120-day voluntary defense period to have expired on August 30, meaning he must face the division's leading mandatory contender Bektemir Melikuziev.

The two sides have until October 21 to come to an agreement. This update follows the Uzbek contender's public frustration over the handling of his long-overdue title shot.

That had been exacerbated by rumors of the champion's proposed defense against lesser opposition in a voluntary defense on the Octover 31 show headlined by Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia.

Melikuziev (17-1, 11 KOs) earned that mandatory challenger distinction with a hard-fought points win over Darius Fulghum in May 2025.

The 30-year-old has boxed just once in 16 months since, a seventh-round stoppage of Sena Agbeko in February.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jaime Munguia ordered to defend WBA 168 title against Bektemir Melikuziev

The WBA Championship Committee has issued an order for their super middleweight world champion, Jaime Munguia, to next make a mandatory title defense against No. 1 contender Bektemir Melikuziev.

The resolution, sent yesterday, gives the parties 30 days to reach their own terms for the bout, or a purse bid will be called after end of day on Wednesday, October 21 in accordance with Rule C.10 of the WBA Championship Rules.

The official public communication from the WBA reads as follows:

“Munguía captured the WBA Super Middleweight World Championship on May 2, 2026, when he defeated Jose Armando Resendiz by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. His 120-day mandatory defense period expired on August 30, and he is therefore required to face the division’s leading mandatory challenger.”

30-year-old Melikuziev, 17-1 (11 KOs), of Indio, California via Shoimbek, Uzbekistan, became the WBA’s No. 1 contender at 168lbs by winning an elimination fight against Darius Fulghum in May of last year which installed him as the No. 3-rated contender.

He was subsequently elevated to top contender status after previous No. 1, Christian Mbilli, elected to fight Maciej Sulecki for the WBC interim title in June 2025.

29-year-old Munguia, 46-2 (35 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, won his second world title by pitching a near shutout over Resendiz on the David Benavidez vs. Zurdo Ramirez PPV undercard.

Munguia previously held the WBO junior-middleweight title and made five successful defenses before vacating to move up in weight in 2019.

“Under Rule C.12, regarding limitations on bouts, the champion may not face a boxer other than the official mandatory challenger within the 60 days prior to the expiration of the mandatory defense period.

“If the parties fail to reach an agreement during the stipulated negotiation period, or if either party refuses to negotiate, the Championship Committee may call for a purse bid in accordance with the WBA rules.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Melikuziev closes in on title shot against Munguia

Super middleweight contender Bektemir Melikuziev was close to becoming another casualty to boxing politics.

But the WBA ensured that its mandatory challenger would at least inch closer to attaining an encounter against champion Jaime Munguia on Monday when it ordered a fight to take place. If negotiations prove to be unfruitful, a purse bid is planned for October.

Earlier this month, "Bek the Bully" blasted Munguia and the WBA for the evaded opportunity that was promised to him.

"Now it's simple for Munguia — fight me, or give up the title," Melikuziev told The Ring through a translator. "I earned my opportunity. I waited long enough. Now it’s time to fight. There are no more excuses, and no other opponents. I am his mandatory challenger.

"I earned this position in the ring. When I was already the mandatory, I was asked to step aside, and I agreed to work with the promoters because I was promised that I would be next."

Melikuziev (17-1, 11 KOs) solidified his standing as the WBA’s mandatory challenger with a hard-fought victory over Darius Fulghum in a title eliminator in May last year.

One night later, Armando Resendiz delivered one of the year’s biggest surprises by upsetting Caleb Plant to claim the WBA interim title. Resendiz was subsequently elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford, the undisputed titleholder, retired in December following his victory over Canelo Alvarez.

Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) beat Resendiz four months ago by unanimous decision.

"The WBA is also in a difficult position when champions push back and don’t want to follow the rules," Melikuziev said. "They are caught in the middle. They have to respect and work with their champions, but at the same time, they have a responsibility to enforce their own rules and make sure everyone follows them.

"The WBA has shown that they are trying to do exactly that. By officially ordering this fight, they made their position clear and confirmed that the rules have to be respected.

"What is the difference between fighting your mandatory and fighting someone else? If you’re the champion, fight your mandatory. If you don’t want to follow the rules, give up the title. I’ll fight whoever is next for it. And when I’m champion, I’ll defend the title against every mandatory, just like a champion should."

Melikuziev, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist from Uzbekistan, last graced the ring in February and knocked out Sena Agbeko in seven rounds.

[MPW]

Rick Glasser reported in BN24 today that Munguia and his team are considering vacating the title rather than face Melikuziev, although no decision has been made.

Seems about right, I guess.

[Sweet Dick Willie]

Rick Glasser reported in BN24 today that Munguia and his team are considering vacating the title rather than face Melikuziev, although no decision has been made.

Seems about right, I guess.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Munguia wants none of Bek the Bully

[gregregegg]

Superb fight. So probably won’t happen..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jaime Munguia's team is reportedly trying to pay mandatory Bektemir Melikuziev step aside money so the WBA Super Middleweight Champion can instead fight Keiber Gonzalez (@ChavaESPN)

Munguia was ordered to fight the Uzbek on September 21 and they have until October 21 to reach a deal

[MPW]

Jaime Munguia's team is reportedly trying to pay mandatory Bektemir Melikuziev step aside money so the WBA Super Middleweight Champion can instead fight Keiber Gonzalez (@ChavaESPN)

Munguia was ordered to fight the Uzbek on September 21 and they have until October 21 to reach a deal

Why does this not surprise me?

Munguia has been carefully matched throughout his entire career and has rarely stepped up to fight a meaningful opponent. I hope both the WBA and Melikuziev say no to the step-aside, and Munguia is forced to face the Uzbek or vacate.

[Sendo Takeshi]

I could name like 10 opponents he's ducked.
His duck list is getting impressive at this point.

[MPW]

I could name like 10 opponents he's ducked.
His duck list is getting impressive at this point.

Indeed! If he had fought half the names on that list - win, lose, or draw - he would have a helluva fight resume.

[Sendo Takeshi]