WBA may bypass Shakhram Giyasov for third time with interim title plan

Mandatory challenger could be pushed aside again as Curiel interim fight is discussed

The WBA is moving toward bypassing Shakhram Giyasov for a third time despite his long-held mandatory position.

Veteran reporter Dan Rafael revealed talks around a Giyasov vs Curiel bout for an interim belt on the May 2 card headlined by Gilberto Ramirez. If confirmed, it would be the third time Giyasov’s title shot has been held back.

The same situation has repeated. Giyasov stepped aside to allow Eimantas Stanionis and Jaron Ennis to unify in April 2025. Ennis then stopped Stanionis and moved up to 154, leaving the WBA belt to Rolando Romero. The ordered Romero vs Giyasov fight never got to the ring.

Now the same situation is playing out again.

A champion is supposed to defend against the mandatory challenger. That is how the structure is meant to work. Instead, the belt has stayed out of reach while other fights have taken priority.

Romero has not fought since May 2025, when he beat Ryan Garcia. Since then, discussions have leaned toward bigger fights, including a possible unification with WBO champion Devin Haney.

That leaves Giyasov waiting on the outside again.

He has done his job. He works behind a firm jab, sets his feet, and lets his combinations go with authority when he closes distance. He keeps a steady pace and applies pressure without giving rounds away. That is how a contender earns his position.

The system has not returned the favour.

Giyasov last fought in April 2025, stopping Franco Maximiliano Ocampo in four rounds. He has held the WBA mandatory position since February 2024 and has stayed ready while the title picture moved around him.

A mandatory challenger should not be circling interim belts while the main title is tied up elsewhere.

If the interim fight is made, Giyasov will be back in a secondary fight while the full belt stays out of reach. That is not about what happens in the ring. It is about how the belt is being handled.

The WBA now has to make a call. Enforce the mandatory defence, or continue down a road where the rankings lose their value once the big fights start getting discussed.