Considering the fact that the unified champion of the first welterweight (up to 63.5 kg) and the ex-absolute of the division is British Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) in the next fight will meet with the mandatory challenger from the WBC American Jose Cepeda (35-2, 27 KOs), the IBF decided to play for the vacant “temporary” belt.
The organization decided that Argentine Jeremias Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) and Puerto Rican Subriel Matias (18-1, 18 KOs), who occupy the 1st and 2nd lines in the IBF ranking, will determine the “interim” champion for the time being. The winner of the showdown could very well be upgraded to a full-fledged title if Taylor (or Cepeda) waives his mandatory IBF defense and loses his belt.
Given the low market value of Matias and Ponce, it is highly likely that the winner of the Taylor vs Cepeda bout will refuse the mandatory IBF defense.
The teams of the Argentinean and the Puerto Rican were offered 30 days to amicably agree on the terms of the deal. Otherwise, promotional bidding will take place. The fighters are represented by rival promoters – Matias stands for Premier Boxing Champions Al Haymon and Ponce is boxing for queensberry promotions Frank Warren.
On August 19, in Tijuana (Mexico), the IBF champion in the first flyweight (up to 49 kg) will be determined: in a head-to-head fight, the 3rd and 1st numbers of the organization’s rating will meet local boxer Hector Flores (20-0-4, 10 KOs) and Siwe Nontshinga (10-0, 9 KOs) from South Africa.
The new champion had to be determined after the Nicaraguan Felix Alvarado moved to the lightest division (up to 50.8 kg) and vacated the title of the organization. He even managed to make his debut in the new weight.
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