Purse bids have been ordered for an IBF junior bantamweight world championship fight between reigning title holder Willibaldo Garcia Perez and the challenger Andrew Moloney, according to an IBF document Boxing Social obtained.
A 36-year-old Mexican fighter, Garcia challenged for the vacant championship in 2024 when he went to Japan to box Rene Calixto, but left Shizuoka with a split draw after 12 rounds. This ensured the IBF title remained up for grabs until a rematch the following year when Garcia prevailed over Calixto by a narrow, split decision, this time in Mexico. The victory was, without question, Garcia’s crowning achievement as it secured his first full championship honor, and advanced his pro record to 23-6-2 (13 KOs).
Aussie boxer Maloney, 35, is more decorated as a former WBA champion in the division, with regional honors and amateur accolades also behind him. He’s fought internationally, and shared the ring with the likes of Luis Concepcion, Joshua Franco (thrice), and Junto Nakatani. His last fight, a fifth round knockout win over Pawan Kumar Ayra in 2025.
In a document dated Feb. 24, the IBF wrote it had ordered its champion Garcia to fight its No.3-ranked contender Moloney for “the mandatory defense of the IBF junior bantamweight title,” but as an agreement was not reached within a timeframe that would have satisfied the IBF, purse bids have now been ordered.
“The IBF is ordering a Purse Bid in these offices on Mar. 5, 2026,” the document said.
