Jose Armando Resendiz’s 2026 is off to a great start.

Following the retirement of former undisputed super middleweight champion, Terence Crawford, the WBA has elevated its interim titlist, Resendiz, to full champion.

Crawford’s decision to retire came just months after his September win over Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Initially, the former five-division champion flirted with the idea of moving down in weight to chase a middleweight title. However, Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), at the age of 38, decided to walk away.

Resendiz, the immediate beneficiary of that decision, grabbed the WBA’s interim strap thanks to his upset win over Caleb Plant on May 31. Although he was viewed as a gigantic underdog, Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs) applied relentless pressure throughout their clash and snatched victory.

In addition to the WBA elevating Resendiz, the sanctioning body placed Bektemir Melikuziev as their No. 1 contender.

A mandatory bout between them could be ordered; however, as first reported by The Ring, Resendiz is currently negotiating a matchup with hard-hitting, popular star Edgar Berlanga.

The 28-year-old contender is currently ranked No. 12 with the WBA. He was last in action against Hamzah Sheeraz on 'Ring III' and was brutally stopped in five rounds on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

If Resendiz vs. Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) does take place, it will fall in the first quarter of the year.