WBA says Munguia–Zon fight has not been approved for Canelo–Mbilli undercard

The WBA says it has not approved Jaime Munguia’s proposed fight against Nikita Zon on the Canelo Alvarez–Christian Mbilli undercard.

Munguia was announced on the bill for 31 October, but the sanctioning body has reiterated that Bektemir Melikuziev remains his mandatory challenger at super-middleweight.

In a statement reported by Boxing News, the organisation said: “The WBA has not approved the Jaime Munguia vs. Nikita Zon bout.”

It added that it would review the situation.

The intervention leaves the proposed title defence unresolved following the Canelo–Mbilli undercard announcement. It does not amount to confirmation that Munguia–Zon has been cancelled.

Why has Munguia vs Zon not been approved?

The WBA ordered Munguia to defend against Melikuziev on 21 September, giving their teams until 21 October to negotiate an agreement.

Its ruling identified Melikuziev as the division’s number-one contender and official mandatory challenger.

Munguia won the belt by defeating Jose Armando Resendiz on points in May. According to the WBA, his 120-day mandatory defence period expired on 30 August.

The organisation said it could call a purse bid if the camps failed to agree terms or either side refused to negotiate.

For now, the distinction is significant: Munguia–Zon has been announced by the promotion, but the WBA has not approved the contest.