Munguia Weighs Vacating WBA Belt to Avoid Melikuziev
Reports suggest Jaime Munguia may drop his WBA super middleweight title rather than face mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev.
Key points
- Jaime Munguia’s camp is considering vacating the WBA super middleweight title to avoid fighting Bektemir Melikuziev.
- The WBA has given the two sides until October 21 to agree on a fight or face a purse bid.
- Melikuziev is a powerful southpaw whose style poses a significant risk to Munguia’s forward-pressing tactics.
Jaime Munguia is considering giving up his WBA super middleweight title. He faces a mandatory defense against Bektemir Melikuziev. Promoter Rick Glaser reports the camp is weighing this option. The decision would spare Munguia a risky bout. It would also free him from WBA obligations.
The Golden Boy connection complicates matters. Melikuziev has fought under this banner since going pro. The company knows his power well. Bek is a heavy-handed southpaw with a punishing body attack. Munguia’s forward pressure invites exactly that kind of damage.
A dangerous mandatory match
Munguia has lost to Canelo Alvarez and Bruno Surace. His record shows vulnerability to elite power. Melikuziev presents a different calculation. He offers significant danger without the commercial reward of a star name. The risk outweighs the payout for this specific matchup.
The WBA has set a deadline of October 21 for a deal. If no agreement is reached, a purse bid may follow. This process could strip Munguia’s team of control. They might lose the choice of date, venue, and broadcaster. Vacating avoids this loss of leverage.
Champions treat belts as leverage
This move reflects a broader trend in boxing. Champions often view belts as disposable tools. They use them to secure in-house paydays. When a dangerous, low-profile fighter becomes mandatory, they drop the title. Hamzah Sheeraz and Teofimo Lopez show similar patterns.
Munguia regained world status by beating José Armando Reséndiz in May. Defending that belt is another matter. If he vacates, Melikuziev loses the chance to beat Munguia. That victory would mean far more for Bek’s career than a vacant title shot.
Melikuziev’s path remains uncertain
If the title becomes vacant, Melikuziev may still get a shot. The WBA rankings put Canelo Alvarez at No. 2. José Armando Reséndiz sits at No. 3. Canelo offers the biggest prize but lacks interest. Reséndiz looks like the more realistic opponent for Bek.
Boxing News 24 reports this potential shift. It highlights the tension between business and sport. Munguia’s camp prioritizes marketability over mandatory defense. This choice exposes the modern hustle around world titles. Fighters prefer safety and stars over legitimate threats.
