MEXICO CITY — WBA super-middleweight champion Jaime Munguia faces the prospect of relinquishing his world title after failing to secure a step-aside agreement with mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev. Munguia, who captured the 168lb strap on 2 May with a unanimous decision victory over Armando Reséndiz in Las Vegas, was ordered by the sanctioning body last month to defend his title against the top-ranked Uzbek.
Rather than finalising terms for the mandatory bout before the 21 October negotiation deadline, Munguia’s team reportedly sought to bypass the contest in favour of a voluntary defence against Venezuela’s Keiber Gonzalez. Melikuziev has publicly rejected the proposal, insisting that he is prepared to fight for no purse to ensure the bout proceeds. "Please stop disrespecting me and the rules of the game," Melikuziev stated. "I was the mandatory for the title before you fought for it. Respect the WBA, respect the fans."
The standoff leaves Munguia with a binary choice: fulfil his mandatory obligations or vacate the championship. Should he choose the latter, he would follow the recent precedent set by former WBO champion Hamzah Sheeraz, who relinquished his belt rather than facing Janibek Alimkhanuly. The super-middleweight division remains active, with Osleys Iglesias scheduled to defend his IBF title tonight, while Christian Mbilli and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez are set to contest the WBC belt later this month.