The WBA has granted a special permit to its 115-pound champion David Jiménez of Costa Rica to make a voluntary title defense against Japan’s Seigo Yuri Akui. The fight will tale place on November 29th in Tokyo. Akui is a former WBA flyweight champion.  The request to avoid Jimenez's mandatory was submitted on September 22 by Teiken Promotions. The WBA notified Golden Boy Promotions, the company representing mandatory challenger John Ramírez, who opposed the request due to the ongoing negotiation process previously established for his mandatory world title bout. After reviewing the arguments presented by both parties and the provisions of its regulations, the WBA involed its authority to modify the mandatory defense rules and grant special permits under justified circumstances.

 

The winner of the bout between Jiménez and Akui must face Ramírez in a mandatory title defense within 120 days of the fight. In the event of a draw, Jiménez will still be required to fulfill the mandatory obligation within the same timeframe.

 

Ramírez has also been authorized to participate in a bout without a title at stake.

 

Jiménez was elevated to WBA super flyweight champion on June 10, 2026, following Jesse Rodríguez’s move to the bantamweight division, which left the title vacant. The Costa Rican had previously won the WBA interim title on April 20, 2024, defeating Ramírez by unanimous decision in Brooklyn, New York. He subsequently made two successful defenses of that belt. The ruling remains subject to compliance with all other WBA rules and regulatory obligations.

 

PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE

 

SEPT. 21, 2026: The WBA has ordered a mandatory bout between WBA super flyweight champion David Jimenez and mandatory challenger John "Scrappy" Ramirez of Los Angeles. It would be a rematch, as Jimenez defeated Ramirez to become WBA interim title holder in 2024. In June, Jiménez was elevated to the WBA super flyweight championship after Jesse Rodríguez vacated the title to move up to bantamweight. Ramirez, who started boxing at the age of 20, has gone on a four-fight winning streak since losing to Jimenez. If the parties fail to reach an agreement during the negotiation period, or if either party declines to negotiate, the Championships Committee may call for a purse bid in accordance with the rules of the World Boxing Association.