LAS VEGAS — WBA super-middleweight champion Jaime Munguia faces a critical decision regarding his world title after mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev rejected a proposed step-aside agreement. Munguia, who captured the 168lb belt on May 2 with a unanimous decision victory over Armando Reséndiz in Las Vegas, was ordered by the WBA last month to defend his title against the top-ranked Melikuziev.
Rather than finalizing a bout with the Uzbek contender before the October 21 negotiation deadline, Munguia’s team reportedly sought to bypass the mandatory defense in favor of a voluntary fight against Venezuela’s Keiber Gonzalez. The attempt to clear a path for a different opponent was met with firm resistance from Melikuziev, who publicly demanded that the champion honor the sanctioning body's rules.
“The purse is not important, I am ready to fight for free. But please stop disrespecting me and the rules of the game!” Melikuziev stated. “Respect the WBA, respect the fans, they want to see real fight with real competition.” Reports from boxing observers confirm that Melikuziev’s team has officially declined any financial compensation to step aside, leaving Munguia with the binary choice of fulfilling his mandatory obligation or relinquishing the championship.
Should Munguia choose to vacate, he would follow a recent trend in the super-middleweight division. Former WBO champion Hamzah Sheeraz recently relinquished his title rather than facing mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly. The landscape of the division remains active, with the IBF title set for defense by Osleys Iglesias tonight, while WBC champion Christian Mbilli is scheduled to face Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez later this month.