Jaime Munguia risks losing world title 5 months after winning it as mandatory refuses step aside deal

Jaime Munguia risks losing his WBA super-middleweight world title after mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev rejected a step-aside offer. Munguia, who won the belt against Armando Reséndiz in May, was ordered to defend against Melikuziev before an October 21 deadline. However, the champion's team is reportedly pursuing a voluntary bout against Venezuela's Keiber Gonzalez instead.

Melikuziev publicly demanded that Munguia either proceed with the mandatory defense or vacate the belt immediately, stating he is willing to fight for free. If Munguia relinquishes the title, he will follow Hamzah Sheeraz as another recent super-middleweight champion choosing to vacate rather than face an ordered mandatory challenger.