There is now even less of an excuse for Bektemir Melikuziev to not get his overdue title shot.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist and current super middleweight contender has understandably grown impatient waiting on the WBA to do the right thing – something that simply isn’t in the sanctioning body’s DNA. A title shot was promised to Melikuziev upon his hard-fought, majority decision win over unbeaten Darius Fulghum on May 31 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Their 12-round thriller was billed as a WBA final elimination bout, though minor confusion over whom the winner would next face. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs) was the undisputed champion at the time before he was supplanted by Terence “Bud” Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs) in September.
Uzbekistan’s Melikuziev never expected a shot at either of those legendary figures. What he did – and still does – expect is to land a shot at the WBA interim title. That belt is currently held by Jose Armando Resendiz, who claimed it from Caleb Plant in an upset win just one night and a few miles away from the 29-year-old southpaw’s abovementioned victory.
“I understand the politics,” Melikuziev told BoxingScene. “I’m not calling out Canelo, I’m not calling out Terence Crawford. I know their names, their levels and I respect that part. But that’s why there is the interim belt. I’m sure it will be promoted to the full belt eventually.
“Resendiz is not that kind of a name where he should be allowed to ignore the rules, and pick and choose his opponents. I was number-one after I beat Darius. Canelo is now number-one and I’m number two. So, I really don’t know what’s going on. Hopefully I get some answers soon. It’s time to get back in the ring and I want the title shot they promised me.”
Nothing of substance came from the WBA’s 104th annual convention this past week in Orlando, Florida. It’s inexplicable, given the sole purpose for these events is to provide updates on all its titles – and the WBA carries boatloads, between “Super,” “World” (Regular) and interim – and confirm which mandatories are not just due but overdue and need to happen without exception.
Melikuziev’s status is even more relevant given the major shakeup at 168lbs. As reported earlier by BoxingScene, Crawford announced his retirement from the sport on Tuesday. His departure opens the door for a crop of super middleweight contenders to vie for the WBA, IBF and WBO titles, respectively.
The most likely scenario is that Resendiz will become the recognized full titleholder.
However, the issue with Team Melikuziev are the rumors of Resendiz’s next fight – a possible showdown with former title challenger Edgar Berlanga. The two are reportedly in talks for a fight that could take place either on January 31 or some time in February.
Berlanga has not fought since a knockout defeat to Hamzah Sheeraz on July 12 in Queens, New York. He is also much further down the WBA ladder (No. 12) than is Melikuziev, who is one spot below Alvarez despite having already fought in a series of eliminators to earn his title shot.
“It’s very frustrating. We really sacrificed a lot going into that fight with Darius including my health,” noted Melikuziev, who suffered a broken nose prior to the fight and further aggravated the injury that evening. “I’ve basically fought three eliminators now, and three straight fights against tough, unbeaten fighters.
“I suffered cuts in my win against that French guy (Pierre Dibombe, whom he defeated via technical decision in April 2024). Then I beat David Stevens (last November), and then Darius. The thing that annoys me the most, is that Resendiz also hasn’t fought since. It’s not like he’s active, has all these big fights lined up and is a name.”
The only silver lining to waiting this long was the quality of life enjoyed by Melikuziev in the interim.
“I went home and had surgery to fix nose. Then, my wife gave birth to our daughter, our first child,” revealed Melikuziev. “Most of the past few months were spent recovering from my past injuries and also spending time with my family.
“Now, I am ready to resume my career and just waiting for my name to be called as mandatory.
