The WBA Championship Committee has ordered a mandatory title defense between WBA super middleweight champion Jaime Munguía (pictured) of Mexico and mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev. The official resolution was issued and sent to both fighters’ teams, who will enter a thirty-day negotiation period to reach an agreement for the bout. The negotiation period will run through October 21st. Munguía defend against Melikuziev in accordance with Rule C.10 of the WBA Championship Rules. Munguía captured the WBA 168-pound title on May 2nd when he defeated José Armando Reséndiz by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. His 120-day mandatory defense period expired on August 30th, and he is therefore required to face the division’s leading mandatory challenger. If the parties fail to reach an agreement during the stipulated negotiation period, or if either party refuses to negotiate, the Championship Committee may call for a purse bid in accordance with the WBA rules.