On Monday, boxing’s sanctioning body officially ordered WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero to next defend his title against his mandatory challenger, Shakhram Giyasov.
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The parties have until November 13 to reach an agreement or bids will be called. The split will be 75-25 in favor of Romero if an auction is necessary. Romero is represented by Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, while Giyasov is aligned with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
“Rolly” was being targeted by Pacquiao for a title fight in January, although those efforts may have to stop now.
Romero captured the WBA (Regular) title with a surprise victory over Ryan Garcia last May. He was promoted to outright champion following Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ decision to move up to super welterweight.
Giyasov became the mandatory challenger following his technical decision victory over Pablo Cesar Cano in the February 2024 welterweight title eliminator. The Uzbek has had to wait almost two years for his chance at a world title.
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WBA orders Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa
Also on Monday, the WBA ordered Britain’s Nick Ball to make a mandatory defense of his featherweight title against number one contender Brandon Figueroa.
The parties have until November 12 to reach an agreement or bids will be called. The split will be 75-25 in favor of Ball at the auctions. The champion is aligned with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, while the challenger is represented by PBC.
Ball has made three voluntary title defenses since capturing the belt with a controversial split decision victory over Raymond Ford in June 2024. The last of those defenses took place last August in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he won a competitive unanimous decision over Sam Goodman.
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Liverpool are eyeing a fight with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, but will have to get past former two-division champion Figueroa to keep those mega-fight hopes alive.
Figueroa previously held the WBC super bantamweight title in 2021 until losing it in a unification fight with Stephen Fulton later that year. Figueroa moved from interim champion to full WBC featherweight champion in 2024 after Rey Vargas was named champion in the break. That title reign, however, was also short-lived, as he lost the belt to Fulton in a rematch last February.
The former champion has since bounced back with a controversial decision victory over Joet Gonzalez on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Manny Pacquiao undercard. Mario Barrios in July and is now looking to become a three-time champion.