WBA Grants Jiménez Special Permit for Super Flyweight Title Defense

The World Boxing Association has granted a special permit to WBA Super Flyweight World Champion David Jiménez of Costa Rica, allowing him to make a voluntary title defense against Japan’s Seigo Yuri Akui. The bout is scheduled for November 29 in Tokyo, Japan. Teiken Promotions submitted the request for the fight on behalf of Jiménez on September 22.

The WBA determined that it has the authority to modify mandatory defense deadlines and grant special permits under justified circumstances after reviewing arguments from both parties.

The WBA notified Golden Boy Promotions, the company representing mandatory challenger John Ramírez, of the special permit decision. Ramírez opposed the request due to the ongoing negotiation process previously established for his mandatory world title bout.

The winner of the bout between David Jiménez and Seigo Yuri Akui must face John Ramírez in a mandatory title defense within 120 days of the fight. In the event of a draw between Jiménez and Akui, Jiménez will still be required to fulfill the mandatory obligation to face Ramírez within the same 120-day timeframe.

John Ramírez has been authorized to participate in a bout without a title at stake.

David Jiménez was elevated to WBA Super Flyweight World Champion on June 10, 2026, following Jesse Rodríguez’s move to the bantamweight division, which left the title vacant. Jiménez previously won the WBA interim title on April 20, 2024, by defeating John Ramírez by unanimous decision in Brooklyn, New York. He made two successful defenses of the interim title after winning it from Ramírez.

The WBA ruling regarding the special permit remains subject to compliance with all other WBA rules and regulatory obligations.

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Sources: the WBA