Shakhram Giyasov Embarks on Epic Title Run in Final Stakes!
Mandatory WBA welterweight challenger Shakhram Giyasov may have to settle for a shot at a secondary belt
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 12: Shakhram Giyasov celebrates his 4th round KO win over Franco Ocampo during their welterweight fight at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images In October of last year, the WBA formally ordered welterweight champion Rolly Romero to defend his title against Shakhram Giyasov, their mandatory challenger since 2023 . Since then, Giyasov’s team has made multiple attempts to push the WBA, which has yet to even schedule a purse bid six months later, to actually follow their own rules.
It seems the effort may have been for naught. As Romero tees up a unification bout with Devin Haney , Dan Rafael reports that there have “[b]een some talks” about pitting Giyasov (17-0, 10 KO) against Raul Curiel (17-0-1, 14 KO) for the interim belt on PBC’s May 2nd “Zurdo” Ramirez vs David Benavidez show. For comparison’s sake, the WBA ordered Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa at the same time and the pair shared the ring last month.
They also, in a detail that may be relevant here, completely skipped over interim champion Mirco Cuello in the process. Rafael does note that neither Romero-Haney nor Giyasov-Curiel have been finalized, so things could change. I recognize that nobody wants to see Romero vs Giyasov, but the whole reason we put up with sanctioning bodies is so that fighters who’ve jumped through the appropriate hoops can get their opportunities.
Say what you will about Giyasov, he’s done what the WBA’s asked of him, even stepping aside previously to let Eimantas Stanionis unify with Jaron Ennis. Give him his shot, and if Romero decides the money’s not worth it, let him fight Haney without a belt around his waist.