Imagine a boxer who's been patiently climbing the ranks, staying loyal to the system, only to find his hard-earned title shot slipping away due to backstage dealings. That's the frustrating reality Shakhram Giyasov is facing right now, and it's got the boxing world buzzing. But here's where it gets controversial—could promoter Eddie Hearn really derail a fair fight just to chase a bigger payday?
Let's break this down step by step, so even newcomers to boxing can follow along. Shakhram Giyasov, a talented welterweight fighter hailing from Uzbekistan, has long held the top spot as the World Boxing Association's (WBA) No. 1 contender at 147 pounds. For quite a while, he's been the obvious choice to challenge for the title, biding his time while the rankings shook out. In a show of good sportsmanship, Giyasov agreed to let Jaron 'Boots' Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis duke it out first in a unification bout for both the WBA and IBF welterweight belts. His plan? He'd take on the victor afterward. Ennis triumphed decisively, knocking out Stanionis in just six rounds, and since both Giyasov and Ennis are under promoter Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing banner, it looked like Giyasov's moment was finally here.
But here's where the plot twists unexpectedly—and this is the part most people miss, as it highlights how fluid boxing titles can be. Ennis decided to step up in weight class to 154 pounds, leaving the WBA welterweight title vacant. That meant Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, who held the 'regular' version of the WBA belt, got upgraded to full world champion status. Giyasov, however, remains the mandatory challenger—a rule in boxing that ensures top contenders get their shot without jumping the queue. Yet, it seems Romero isn't eager to face him soon. Instead, rumors swirl about Romero potentially fighting legendary Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao, who's itching for another go at a welterweight crown after a controversial draw with Mario Barrios earlier this year.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hearn himself has spilled the beans: Romero's camp has filed a formal exemption request with the WBA, pleading to sidestep the mandatory fight against Giyasov and tackle Pacquiao instead. 'We've got a mandatory fight lined up against Rolly Romero,' Hearn explained to BoxingScene, 'but his team submitted an exemption to go after Manny Pacquiao, which I don't think is standard procedure. Shakhram Giyasov's been waiting forever, and we argue the WBA shouldn't grant that special pass.'
This isn't just hearsay—Giyasov's team fired off a letter to the WBA last week, strongly opposing any loophole that lets Romero dodge his required duty. They called it out vehemently, emphasizing that mandatory fights are meant to keep things fair and merit-based. Matchroom Boxing's CEO, Frank Smith, echoed those sentiments in his chat with BoxingScene, vowing to lobby hard for Giyasov's fight. 'It's really disheartening for Shakhram,' Smith shared. 'He graciously stepped aside back in April to let the Ennis-Stanionis unification happen for the WBA and IBF. After that, he was promised the next WBA title fight. Now, whispers suggest Romero might clash with Manny Pacquiao. Shakhram doesn't care who the opponent is; he just wants his world title opportunity. It's up to us to make that happen, and we're pushing the WBA aggressively—we're confident we can secure it because he absolutely deserves it.'
Now, shifting gears a bit but staying in the realm of promoter intrigue, there's another matchup stirring doubts: the potential showdown between Devin Haney and Conor Benn. Boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi isn't buying that Eddie Hearn will actually greenlight it. In a recent talk show episode dated Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Paulie dives into the reasons why this fight might fizzle out before it starts, exposing the real obstacles behind the scenes. You can check out the full breakdown here: https://www.boxingscene.com/talk-shows/will-eddie-hearn-block-a-devin-haney-vs-conor-benn-fight?spg=pr&spl=b. It raises questions about how promoters prioritize glamour over genuine rivalries, potentially leaving fans hungry for the fights that matter most.
What do you think—should the WBA honor Romero's exemption, or is it unfair to bypass a fighter like Giyasov who's earned his spot? And does this incident make you wonder if boxing's mandatory rules are just suggestions, easily bent by big names and promoters? Share your take in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree Hearn's call is controversial or if there's a counterpoint I'm missing. Is loyalty rewarded in boxing, or is it all about the cash? Let's discuss!
