Jaime Munguia could lose his WBA super middleweight title if he does not fight his mandatory challenger. Munguia’s team reportedly sought a step-aside from Bektemir Melikuziev, and Melikuziev’s side turned it down, according to Boxing News and Uzbek reporter Jalol Akhmedov.
Akhmedov wrote on X on October 8 that Munguia’s team offered a step-aside price and Melikuziev’s team denied it. “Bek is only willing to get his title fight,” he said. “In short, fight or vacate. No other options.”
The WBA ordered Munguia (46-2, 36 KOs) to defend against Melikuziev (17-1, 11 KOs), its top-ranked challenger. Boxing News reported an October 21 negotiation deadline. Munguia’s team is understood to be pursuing a voluntary fight with Keiber Gonzalez instead.
Melikuziev has spoken out. “I was the mandatory for the title before you fought for it,” he said in a message to Munguia, adding that he is ready to fight for free and asking the champion to respect the WBA and the fans.
Munguia won the belt on May 2 in Las Vegas with a unanimous decision over Armando Resendiz, as covered in our look at that card.
