(October 13th) In a highly competitive, closely contested matchup that lived up to expectations, southpaw Khariton Agrba captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super lightweight world title with a split-decision victory over seasoned contender Zaur Abdullaev.

The ringside scorecards reflected the razor-thin nature of the 12-round battle and the contrasting views of the judges. Two officials scored the bout in favor of Agrba, 117-111 and 115-113, while the third judge awarded Abdullaev a 117-111 verdict, producing one of the most talked-about decisions on the continental boxing calendar.

From the opening bell, the fight unfolded as a tactical chess match. Abdullaev relied on steady pressure, a tight guard and physical strength, while Agrba countered with slick footwork, sharp angle changes and a piercing jab. During the first half of the bout, Abdullaev occasionally managed to close the distance and attack the body. Agrba responded quickly, using his southpaw stance to pivot around his opponent’s lead shoulder and land crisp left-handed counters to the chin.

As the championship rounds approached, the pace demanded precision from both fighters. Rather than backing down in the face of Abdullaev’s forward pressure, Agrba maintained impressive defensive composure and delivered sharper counterpunching combinations. His work down the stretch proved decisive, allowing him to pull ahead on two scorecards and secure the interim championship by a narrow margin.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(October 13th) A storm swept through the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, as Mexican contender Sergio “Yoreme” Mendoza delivered a statement-making performance to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight world title, stopping hard-nosed Californian Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval by fifth-round technical knockout.

Rather than feeling out his opponent from the outside, Mendoza came out aggressively from the opening bell, determined to dictate the action. The turning point came in a wild second round, when the Sonoran fighter landed a pair of powerful, pinpoint shots that sent Sandoval to the canvas twice in quick succession. Despite the punishment and visible signs of being shaken, Sandoval showed tremendous heart, beating the count and weathering the storm to make it to the bell.

Mendoza continued to press the action in the following rounds, steadily cutting off the ring and limiting Sandoval’s escape routes. The Californian tried to trade punches with the relentless Mexican, but his return fire lacked the power he had shown early in the fight.

The decisive sequence came in the fifth round, when another devastating flurry, capped by a crushing hook, sent Sandoval to the canvas for the third time that night.

Although the courageous Californian managed to get back to his feet with considerable difficulty, his condition prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight to protect his safety. The official technical knockout victory sparked celebrations in Mendoza’s corner as the Mexican was crowned the new WBA flyweight world champion.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(October 5th) Naomy Cárdenas put on a dominant performance from start to finish at the iconic El Paso County Coliseum in Texas. The Mexican fighter left no doubt, defeating American Melanie Timko by unanimous decision to capture the NABA Female Super Flyweight Title, sanctioned by the World Boxing Association.

Cárdenas’ superiority was reflected on all three official scorecards, as the judges scored the bout 80-72 across the board, confirming that the Mexican fighter won all eight rounds.

From the opening bell, Cárdenas dictated the action, cutting off the ring with confident footwork and a tight guard. Timko tried to use her reach to keep Cárdenas at long range, but the Mexican fighter responded with relentless pressure, digging heavy hooks to the ribs and connecting with sharp two- and three-punch combinations to the chin whenever she trapped the hometown fighter against the ropes.

As the rounds wore on, Timko’s frustration became increasingly evident as the accumulated punishment began to take its toll. The American showed toughness to absorb the punishment and make it to the final bell, but she was never able to find an answer for Cárdenas’ movement, speed or pinpoint accuracy.

Cárdenas closed the final rounds intelligently, managing the distance and dictating the pace on her way to a dominant performance and a unanimous decision victory.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(October 5th) The judges barely had time to get involved in a women’s boxing card that delivered nonstop action, aggression and power in the Spanish capital. Madrid’s Teatro Las Vegas hosted a thrilling night on October 4, as three World Boxing Association regional titles were claimed before the final bell, with Jennifer Fernández, Cristina Navarro and Clara Cortés emerging as the night’s biggest winners.

In a featherweight bout contested at 126 pounds, Jennifer Fernández showcased patience and methodical pressure against Venezuela’s Luisana Bolívar to capture the WBA Ibero-American featherweight title. After four rounds of sustained exchanges at close range, with Fernández consistently attacking the body, the Spanish fighter broke through in the fifth. A sharp combination to Bolívar’s body prompted her corner to call for the stoppage, with the referee stepping in to wave off the bout and hand Fernández a fifth-round TKO victory.

At 105 pounds, Cristina Navarro produced an explosive finish, needing less than six minutes to stop Italy’s Consuelo Portolani and claim the WBA Mediterranean title. From the opening bell, Navarro overwhelmed her opponent with relentless pressure. In the second round, a right hand to the head stunned Portolani, and Navarro followed up with a sustained attack against the ropes that forced the referee to intervene, sending the Madrid crowd into an uproar.

Completing the night’s championship sweep, Clara Cortés became the new WBA Ibero-American minimumweight champion after stopping experienced former world champion María Milano of Venezuela in the fifth round. Cortés used a high-volume attack to neutralize Milano’s offense, then capitalized on the Venezuelan’s accumulated fatigue in the fifth with a devastating flurry that produced the third TKO of the night.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(October 5th) Jennifer Miranda delivered a commanding performance under the lights of Madrid’s iconic Teatro Las Vegas, overpowering Venezuela’s Militza Salazar and leaving no room for doubt. The Spanish contender scored a third-round knockout to capture the WBA Gold International Female Super Featherweight Title.

Miranda took control from the opening bell. Using her long jab to establish range and command the center of the ring, the Spanish fighter quickly disrupted Salazar’s defense, cutting off the Venezuelan’s escape routes and preventing her from finding a rhythm or putting together combinations at close range. By the second round, Miranda’s hooks to the body and straight right hands were visibly taking a toll on her opponent.

The finish came quickly in the third. After trapping Salazar against the ropes behind a relentless attack, Miranda unleashed a combination to the head and body that finally broke through the Venezuelan’s guard. A left hook to the liver was the final blow, folding Salazar and prompting the referee to halt the contest and award Miranda the victory by knockout.

By: Jesús Milano

(September 23rd) The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championship Committee has ordered a mandatory bout between WBA Welterweight Super Champion Teófimo López and Jack Catterall, the organization’s welterweight champion.

The decision stems from the conditions established by the Championship Committee when Rolando “Rolly” Romero was elevated to WBA Super Champion. At that time, it was determined that the winner of the WBA World Title bout between Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall would subsequently face Romero, who would be permitted to make one optional defense during that period.

On August 22, 2026, Teófimo López defeated Romero by majority decision to become the WBA Super Champion. López therefore succeeded Romero as champion and assumed the obligations previously established by the Championship Committee.

As a result, the WBA has ordered the bout between López and Catterall.

The WBA has established a 30-day negotiation period, beginning on September 22, 2026, and concluding at the close of business, Eastern Time, on October 22, 2026.

If the parties fail to reach an agreement within the established period, or if either party notifies the WBA of its decision to discontinue negotiations, the Championship Committee may, with the approval of the WBA President, order a purse bid in accordance with the organization’s rules and regulations.

(September 21st) The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championship Committee has formally ordered a mandatory title defense between WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Jaime Munguía of Mexico and the division’s No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger, Bektemir "Bully" Melikuziev of Uzbekistan. The official resolution was issued to both fighters’ teams on September 21, 2026, beginning a 30-day negotiation period that runs through October 21. The parties must reach an agreement for the championship bout during that period, or the matter could proceed to a purse bid under the WBA’s championship rules.

Under Rule C.10 of the WBA Championship Rules, Munguía, 46-2, 35Ko's is required to make his mandatory title defense against the division’s official mandatory challenger. Munguía captured the WBA Super Middleweight World Championship on May 2, 2026, defeating José Armando Reséndiz by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. His 120-day mandatory-defense period expired on August 30, placing the champion under the obligation to negotiate a defense against Melikuziev, 17-1, 11Ko's who holds the WBA’s No. 1 ranking and official mandatory-challenger designation.

The WBA order also cites Rule C.12, concerning limitations on bouts. Under that provision, the champion may not face a boxer other than the official mandatory challenger during the 60-day period preceding the expiration of the mandatory-defense period, subject to the applicable championship rules and exceptions. With the negotiation window now open, representatives for Munguía and Melikuziev have until October 21 to reach terms for the mandatory championship contest.

If the two sides fail to reach an agreement within the stipulated negotiation period, or if either party refuses to negotiate, the WBA Championship Committee may call for a purse bid in accordance with the organization’s rules. A purse bid would allow promoters to submit competing offers for the promotional rights to the bout.

For now, Munguía vs. Melikuziev remains an ordered mandatory title defense rather than a formally scheduled fight. No official fight date, venue, broadcast details or undercard have been announced. The next significant development will be whether the champion’s and challenger’s representatives reach an agreement before the October 21 deadline or whether the WBA moves forward with the purse-bid process.

By: Jesús Milano

(September 21st) The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered a mandatory bout between WBA Flyweight Champion David Jimenez and mandatory challenger John Ramirez.

The pioneering sanctioning body sent the official notification to both fighters’ teams, who will now enter a negotiation period to reach an agreement for the bout. Jimenez must make a mandatory defense against the division’s official challenger, John Ramirez, in accordance with Rule C.10 of the WBA Championship Rules.

Jimenez won the world championship on June 13, 2026, making October 12, 2026, the deadline for his mandatory defense, which must be carried out as soon as possible.

The negotiation period will begin on September 18 and will run for 30 days, through the close of business on October 18, 2026 (-5 GMT).

Additionally, pursuant to Rule C.13, regarding limitations on bouts, the champion may not face a boxer other than the official challenger during the 60 days prior to the expiration of the period established for the mandatory defense.

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.

(September 10th) The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has issued a resolution regarding the super featherweight division, elevating Anthony Cacace to Super Champion status and Elnur Samedov to champion following recent developments.

The decision establishes a new course for the division in light of the circumstances that prevented the immediate staging of the mandatory bout between the two fighters.

Cacace will be authorized to make a voluntary defense against a WBA-ranked boxer before December 31, 2026, potentially against Nick Ball. Subsequently, the winner of that bout will be required to defend the Super Championship against Elnur Samedov, who will hold champion status, in a mandatory bout.

The fight must take place in neutral territory, at a venue approved by all parties involved, and on a date to be determined by the WBA Championships Committee.

The resolution further establishes that, once the bout between Cacace and his opponent has concluded, the winner will have 12 days to confirm his participation in the mandatory bout against Samedov.

Additionally, the WBA determined that the terms and requirements of the bout, including a potential purse percentage split in the event of a purse bid, will be established through a separate resolution, taking into consideration the balance of the interests of both fighters, fairness, and transparency.

The resolution also establishes that no additional special permission will be granted until the mandatory bout has taken place or the parties have reached an agreement. Likewise, no title unification bout may take place while the division does not have a single champion.

Samedov, for his part, was elevated to champion status and will also be authorized to participate in a bout in accordance with the schedule established in the resolution. All applicable WBA rules and regulations will continue to govern his activities as champion.

The resolution stems from the order issued by the WBA Championships Committee on June 2, when the mandatory bout was ordered between Cacace, then the division’s champion, and Samedov, who held the Interim Championship.

Cacace won his world title on March 13, 2026, while Samedov captured the Interim Championship on February 13, 2026.

Negotiations were conducted by Queensberry Promotions, representing Cacace, and Titov Boxing Promotions, representing Samedov. However, the parties were unable to reach a definitive agreement.

The contracts submitted by Queensberry in mid-July contemplated staging the bout in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

The situation became more complicated when the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) rejected the request for Samedov to compete in the United Kingdom. The decision was subsequently upheld by the British authority after reviewing documentation related to the fighter’s citizenship and residency. As a result, negotiations between the two promoters were suspended.

On August 17, Queensberry Promotions requested special permission from the WBA under Rule C.40 for Cacace to make a voluntary defense while the situation surrounding the mandatory bout was being resolved.

The request argued, among other points, that the obstacle to staging the fight had resulted from a regulatory decision by the BBBC and not from any action by the champion or his promoter; that a purse bid would likely not resolve the venue-related issue; that moving the fight outside the United Kingdom could significantly affect Cacace’s revenue-generating capacity; and that the champion was prepared to make a defense in the near term.

Titov Boxing Promotions also submitted its arguments to the governing body and challenged the BBBC’s decision, while requesting that the WBA continue to require the bout between Cacace and Samedov.

Samedov’s promoter also asked the WBA to consider the commercial consequences for its fighter and requested that, if special permission were granted, a date be established for the world championship bout that would not unjustifiably delay Samedov’s opportunity.

After reviewing the communications and arguments submitted by all parties involved, as well as the regulatory circumstances that affected the possibility of staging the bout in the United Kingdom, the WBA President and the Championships Committee determined that there was valid cause to grant the requested special permission.

WBA rules allow for special permission to be granted when extraordinary circumstances justify such action and authorize the Association to suspend or modify certain provisions, including periods established for mandatory defenses.

In this case, the Committee considered the best interests of boxing, the objectives and policies of the Association, and the interests of both fighters, seeking to establish a balance between the positions of Cacace and Samedov.

The governing body recognizes the jurisdiction of local authorities to regulate boxing activities within their respective territories. Although the WBA does not agree with the decision adopted by the BBBC in this case, it deemed it necessary to take that decision into consideration and recognize its consequences for staging the mandatory bout in the United Kingdom.

WBA rules establish that its provisions may be superseded when they conflict with a mandatory regulation imposed by an authorized national or local boxing commission.

The WBA will continue working with all parties involved and will maintain the appropriate consultations with the British Boxing Board of Control regarding matters related to the eligibility of participants to compete in the United Kingdom.

Any other matter that may arise in connection with this case will be resolved through the interpretation of the WBA Championship Rules by the Championships Committee.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(September 8th) The future of boxing took a historic step forward on Saturday, September 5th, in Turmero, Aragua, with the successful staging of the first amateur edition of the WBA Future Champions Program in Venezuela.

The event provided a first-class platform for the country’s young boxing prospects, featuring an intense and exciting card of 15 bouts.

The day brought together promising young fighters from gyms and boxing development programs across Venezuela. Inside the ring in Aragua, the developing athletes competed with determination, discipline and passion across several weight divisions, showcasing the results of their preparation under the watchful eyes of trainers, certified officials and representatives of the sanctioning body.

The initiative marks another important milestone in the WBA’s continued expansion and further strengthens its commitment to the grassroots development of amateur boxing.

By providing professional organizational standards, technical supervision and a prestigious international platform for athletes in the formative stages of their careers, the program creates a pathway for sporting development and future elite-level competition.

The energy and enthusiasm from the crowd in Turmero also highlighted Venezuela’s deep-rooted boxing tradition and the positive impact that programs like WBA Future Champions can have on young athletes.

With the successful debut of the WBA Future Champions amateur program in Venezuela, the pioneer organization once again reaffirmed its mission to promote values, develop talent from the grassroots level and help guide the next generation of world champions.

McGrail Stops Boreland, Retains

WBA Continental Gold Super Bantamweight Title!

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(September 8th) British fighter Joe McGrail put his punching power on full display in a fast-paced showdown, retaining his WBA Continental Gold super bantamweight title with a fifth-round knockout victory over Ireland’s Matthew Boreland.

From the opening bell, McGrail set the tone inside the ring. Working behind an effective jab that opened the door for combinations at mid-range, the champion gradually began breaking down Boreland’s resistance.

Boreland came prepared to stand his ground and engage in exchanges, but his defensive lapses proved costly against the champion’s speed and accuracy.

The finish had been building throughout the early rounds, as McGrail consistently invested in body work and slowly wore down his opponent. In the fifth round, after cutting off the ring and trapping Boreland against the ropes, McGrail unleashed a devastating combination capped by a crushing hook to the liver that left the challenger unable to continue.

With the emphatic victory, Joe McGrail extends his winning streak, reinforces his position as a WBA regional champion at 122 pounds and takes another important step forward in his professional career.

In the main event, local fighter Maximiliano Robledo (14-1, 6 Ko’s) defeated Ghanaian John Laryea (17-1-1, 13 Ko’s) by disqualification in the ninth round of a world-championship eliminator.

Argentine Cristian Ayala (16-3-1, 6 Ko’s) defeated Venezuelan Algerbis González (12-6, 10 Ko’s) by third-round knockout to win the WBA Fedelatin welterweight championship. González knocked Ayala down in the first round, but Ayala recovered and remained competitive. In the final round, powerful body shots wore down González, who could no longer withstand the punishment.

Highly touted Argentine Florencia “La Avispa” López (16-0, 0 Ko’s) defeated Mexico’s Elizabeth Cruz (12-4, 2 Ko’s) by unanimous decision, with scores of 110-90, 97-93, and 98-92.

French two-time Olympic medalist Sofiane Oumiha (8-1, 3 Ko’s) retained his WBA Fedelatin USA title with a unanimous-decision victory over experienced Nicaraguan Freddy Laínez (22-6-1, 15 Ko’s).

Oumiha used frequent, precise counters to control Laínez over 10 rounds, winning decisively on scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92.

Italian prospect Piergiulio Ruhe (20-1, 15 Ko’s) retained his WBA Gold super-welterweight title by stopping Venezuelan David Alvarez (18-1, 15 Ko’s) via seventh-round technical knockout.

Spain’s Samuel Carmona (15-1, 6 Ko’s) retained his WBA Intercontinental flyweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Venezuelan Josber Pérez (24-5, 22 Ko’s), with scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93.

Venue: KO A Las Drogas AMB, Casino Buenos Aires, Argentina

Promoter: Fernando Beltran - Promociones Zanfer, Paco Damian - Paco Presents, Sampson Lewkowicz - Sampson Boxing, Sharaf Mahama - Legacy Rise Sports Promotions, Carlos Andres Tello - Tello Box

Full Results

Featherweights: vacant North American Boxing Association Featherweight title

Adrian Maximiliano Robledo WDQ 9/12 John Laryea

Laryea down in the 5th round, deducted one point in the 7th, connected two clear headbutts that were not penalized by the ref, in the 9th, after connecting two blatant low blows -not penalized by the referee Janney Guzman, he impacted a third one so ref disqualified him.

Atomweights: Aldana Florencia Lopez W10 100-90, 97-93, 98-92 Elizabeth Cruz Lopez

Super Featherweights: WBA Fedelatin USA Super Featherweight title

Sofiane Oumiha W10 97-93, 99-91, 98-92 Freddy Lainez

Welterweights: Cristian Javier Ayala KO3/10  Algerbis Rafael Gonzalez

Ayala down in the 1st round and Gonzalez down in the 3rd

Super Welterweights: Piergiulio Ruhe TKO7/10 David Alvarez

Alvarez down twice in the 7th round

Flyweights: Samuel Carmona W10  99-91, 97-93, 98-92 Josber Perez

By: Jesús Milano

(July 28th) The Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association (WBA) has declared René Santiago Champion in Recess and approved a bout between Daiya Kira and Carlos Cañizales for the WBA World Light Flyweight (108 lbs.) Championship.

Santiago was scheduled to defend his crown against Kira, the division’s mandatory challenger. However, his team informed the Committee that an injury would prevent him from fulfilling the mandatory defense. As a result, the WBA requested all relevant medical documentation for review by its Medical Committee before reaching a decision.

WBA Rule C.14 states that when a World Champion is unable to defend his title within the prescribed time periods due to medical, legal, or other justifiable reasons reasonably beyond his control, the inactive champion may be designated Champion in Recess, and the Committee may order the appropriate championship bout in accordance with WBA Rules C.22 through C.24. Medical reasons must be documented to the satisfaction of the Chairman of the Medical Committee, who may require additional medical examinations or reports.

Following its review, the Committee decided to designate Santiago as Champion in Recess and ordered a championship bout between the WBA’s No. 1-ranked contender, Japan’s Daiya Kira, and the organization’s No. 2-ranked contender, Venezuela’s Carlos Cañizales. The two will meet for the vacant WBA World Light Flyweight Championship on September 2 in Yokohama, Japan.

The WBA Medical Committee will remain in communication with Santiago’s team to monitor the progress of his recovery and determine the timeline for his return, which must come against the winner of the Kira-Cañizales bout. Any issues that arise during this process will be resolved in accordance with WBA Rules.