WBA Ordered Munguía and Melikuziev Fight
The sanctioning body has set a deadline for the two fighters to negotiate a super middleweight championship bout.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Boxing
Live Poll
Should championship boxers be required to accept mandatory title defenses against top-ranked opponents?
The WBA has officially ordered Jaime Munguía and Bektemir Melikuziev to begin negotiations for a super middleweight title fight. If the two parties are unable to reach an agreement, the organization will move to initiate a purse bid process.
Why it matters
This matchup creates a mandatory path forward for the WBA super middleweight division following recent title developments. The fight represents a critical career milestone for both boxers as they look to secure their standing in the weight class.
Jaime Munguía enters the potential matchup with 46 career wins and 35 knockouts, while Bektemir Melikuziev holds 17 career wins with 11 knockouts.
The players
Jaime Munguía
He is a professional boxer who holds 46 career victories and previously challenged for the super middleweight championship.
Bektemir Melikuziev
He is a professional boxer with a 17-1 record known for his amateur background and aggressive fighting style.
WBA
The World Boxing Association is a sanctioning body that regulates professional boxing matches and world title belts.
Golden Boy Promotions
This is a prominent boxing promotion company founded by Oscar De La Hoya that represents numerous world-class fighters.
The details
Both fighters are represented by Golden Boy Promotions, which complicates the negotiation process for the mandatory championship bout. The WBA order follows Munguía capturing his current belt on May 2.
Timeline
The WBA issued the official order for negotiations on September 21, 2026.
The deadline for the two camps to reach a deal is October 21, 2026.
The Big Picture
This order follows the standard WBA mandatory championship negotiation process to ensure title defense continuity.
The potential bout shifts the trajectory of the super middleweight rankings by forcing a mandatory defense. A successful negotiation would eliminate the need for a purse bid and finalize the upcoming fight card.
The takeaway
This development marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the division. Boxing fans should monitor the upcoming deadline to see if Golden Boy Promotions facilitates an agreement without moving to a public purse bid.
What happens next
The WBA will initiate a purse bid for the fight if the two parties fail to reach a formal agreement by October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on title rankings and championship bouts, visit the Boxing section.
Live Poll
Should championship boxers be required to accept mandatory title defenses against top-ranked opponents?
