Jaime Munguia’s proposed October 31 fight against Nikita Zon has not received WBA approval, the sanctioning body announced Thursday night, reminding his team that Bektemir Melikuziev remains the mandatory challenger for his super middleweight title.
The statement puts an obstacle in front of the planned Riyadh appearance. Munguia has been named to face Zon, but the WBA has already ordered him to negotiate a defense against Melikuziev.
“The WBA has not approved the Jaime Munguia vs. Nikita Zon bout. Bektemir Melikuziev is the official contender in the super middleweight division,” the organization posted on its official X account on October 8. “The WBA will review the situation.”
That leaves Munguia’s team needing a ruling before it can present the Zon matchup as an approved WBA title defense. The announcement of an opponent has not settled the championship obligation.
The WBA ordered Munguia–Melikuziev on September 21, giving the teams until October 21 to reach an agreement. Its published order stated that Munguia’s 120-day mandatory defense period expired on August 30. If negotiations fail, or either side refuses to negotiate, the championship committee may call a purse bid.
That deadline falls just ten days before the proposed Zon fight. Unless the WBA grants an exception or approves another arrangement, the mandatory order remains an obstacle to Munguia defending his belt against someone else.
Munguia could risk losing his WBA title if he goes ahead with Zon without approval. The organization has already ordered him to negotiate with Melikuziev, and announcing another opponent does not suspend that obligation or stop the October 21 deadline.
Melikuziev should not have to wait indefinitely while Munguia pursues a different fight. He is the mandatory challenger, negotiations have been ordered, and the WBA has publicly confirmed that the proposed Zon defense has not been approved.
The WBA has not announced a stripping decision. However, if Munguia proceeds without an exception, he risks entering the Zon fight with his championship on the line outside the ring.