Key points:
- Jaime Munguia’s camp may vacate the WBA super middleweight title rather than face mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev
- The WBA has given both sides until October 21 to reach terms before the fight goes to a purse bid
- Melikuziev is a compact, heavy-handed southpaw known for punishing forward-marching opponents
- Munguia’s only genuine test since winning the belt came against Canelo Alvarez, a fight he lost clearly
Jaime Munguia’s just got his hands on a world title, and his own team’s reportedly already looking for the exit rather than defend it.
“Munguia’s camp looks ready to dump the WBA strap because Bektemir Melikuziev offers pure risk with zero casual crossover appeal,” one report put it. Melikuziev’s the mandatory, no way round that – a compact, heavy-handed southpaw who specialises in cracking ribs and punishing anyone who walks forward without defending themselves properly.
A record that looks better than it’s actually been tested
Munguia’s 46-2, and the two losses tell you plenty. Canelo Alvarez dropped him and cruised to a wide decision. Bruno Surace knocked him out in a fight Munguia was favoured to win. Melikuziev doesn’t carry Canelo’s complete skill set – he brings something arguably more dangerous for Munguia specifically, since there’s no big-name safety net if it goes wrong.
Why vacating solves one problem and creates another
Giving up the belt lets Munguia dodge a fight built to expose exactly what’s gone wrong before. It also hands the WBA a genuine headache – if Melikuziev doesn’t simply inherit the vacant title outright, he’s back to square one after already waiting his turn once.
October 21’s the date that decides it
Both sides have until then to reach terms before this heads to a purse bid – which would strip Munguia’s camp of any say over date, venue or broadcaster entirely.