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.”
