The WBA’s latest order could disrupt Manny Pacquiao’s world title plans.
On Monday, the boxing sanctioning body officially ordered WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero to defend his title next against its mandatory challenger, Shakhram Giyasov.
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The parties have until Nov. 13 to reach a deal or purse 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 January title fight, though those efforts may now have to be halted.
Romero picked up the WBA (Regular) title with an upset win over Ryan Garcia this past May. He was upgraded to full 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 their Feb. 2024 welterweight title eliminator. The Uzbek has had to wait for almost two years for his shot 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 the No. 1 contender, Brandon Figueroa.
The parties have until Nov. 12 to reach a deal or purse bids will be called. The split will be 75-25 in favor of Ball at purse bids. 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 win over Raymond Ford in June 2024. The latest of those defenses took place this past August in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he won a competitive unanimous decision over Sam Goodman.
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The Liverpudlian is chasing a fight with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, but he will have to get past the two-division former champ Figueroa to keep those mega-fight hopes alive.
Figueroa previously held the WBC super bantamweight title in 2021 until losing it in a unification bout with Stephen Fulton later that year. Figueroa was upgraded from interim champion to full WBC featherweight titlist in 2024 after Rey Vargas was made champion in recess. That title reign, however, was also short-lived, as he dropped the belt to Fulton in a rematch this past February.
The former champ has since rebounded with a controversial decision win over Joet Gonzalez on July’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios undercard and now looks to become a three-time titleholder.
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