American-Mexican ex-heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) still cannot agree on the final WBC eliminator with compatriot Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs), because he is not satisfied with the financial offer, he wants more money.
But Ruiz also has a backup option – a fight for the title of interim IBF champion with Croat Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs). Yesterday Hrgovic’s promoter Kalle Sauerland (Wassermann Boxing) approached the organization with a request for immediate promotional bidding. They agreed – the auction will take place on February 28.
The IBF’s decision looks controversial, as the organization does not practice bidding in fights for interim titles. This is stated in the IBF regulations (clause 16.B): “If the parties have not agreed to hold a fight for an interim title, no promotional bidding will be held. Applicants are required to agree amicably.
The decision of the IBF looks controversial also for the reason that the organization does not have a rule on the distribution of the prize fund for fights for interim titles.
Promotional trades yesterday were booked not only in the IBF, but also in the WBO.
On February 23, the organizer of the fights between champions and mandatory contenders in the second lightest (up to 52.2 kg) and minimum (up to 47.6 kg) weight divisions will be determined. In both cases, the distribution of the prize fund in favor of the champion is 75/25, and the minimum bet is 100 thousand USD (for 52.2 kg) and 80 thousand USD (for 47.6 kg).
It is expected that the fight in 52.2 kg will not take place. It is rumored that the Japanese champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) has more attractive options than the fight with compatriot Junto Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs). Apparently we are talking about unification with Juan Francisco Estrada (WBC) or Joshua Franco (WBA).
Ioka and Franco have already met in a face-to-face fight – in December last year, they tied the fight.
In the fight for the title in 47.6 kg, Filipino Melvin Yerusalem (20-2, 12 KOs) will make his debut defense with Puerto Rican Oscar Collaso (6-0, 4 KOs).
