Jaime Munguía and Bektemir Melikuziev Reportedly Agree

Jaime Munguía and Bektemir Melikuziev have reportedly reached terms for a WBA super middleweight title fight, Chris Mannix said after Munguía beat Nikita Zon by unanimous decision in Riyadh on Saturday. No date for the defense has been announced.

Mannix Says Munguía Will Defend His Belt

Munguía named Melikuziev as his mandatory challenger after the win over Zon. Sergio Mora, speaking with Mannix, questioned whether Munguía would take the fight, saying he expected the champion to avoid Melikuziev. Mannix disagreed, saying he had been told the sides had come to terms and that he did not think Munguía would give up his belt.

Mora had backed Melikuziev as the challenger even before Munguía’s fight with Zon. He described Melikuziev as a natural 168-pounder whose southpaw angles are more effective than Zon’s, and said he hits harder.

Munguía's Response to Zon Raises a Question

Mannix also pointed to Melikuziev’s close fight with Darius Fulghum, in which Melikuziev needed a knockdown in the 12th round. That was a reason to hesitate before picking him, but Munguía’s exchanges with Zon offered a potential opening for the challenger.

Zon hurt Munguía in the sixth round. Munguía bent forward and raised his gloves beside his head, while Zon continued throwing hooks at the guard. Mora said a straight punch or an uppercut might have lifted Munguía’s head and given referee Tony Weeks grounds to stop the fight. Mora and Mannix both supported Weeks’ decision to let it continue. Munguía then hurt Zon later in the same round.

The concern for Munguía against Melikuziev is the southpaw’s left hand as the champion presses forward. Munguía often closes distance to work with both hands; Melikuziev’s footwork could let him move outside Munguía’s lead foot and fire down the middle. Munguía recovered against Zon, but would need to deal with that threat as he tries to build his own offense.

No date for the reported title fight has been provided.