The International Boxing Federation (IBF) continues enforcing strict mandatory defense policies, resulting in the loss of titles. This time, the affected boxer is Argentine Fernando Martínez, junior bantamweight champion, who has been stripped of his belt without having to fight. The IBF has been criticized for imposing mandatory bouts with lesser-known challengers, causing frustration among boxers and boxing fans.
According to Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN, Martínez was stripped of his title ahead of his anticipated rematch against Kazuto Ioka, scheduled for New Year’s. Although not yet officially confirmed, this fight had the potential to be a unification bout, adding more significance to the rematch. The undefeated Argentine champion, with 17 professional fights and 9 knockouts, was preparing to defend both belts: the World Boxing Association (WBA) title, which he won from Ioka in their first encounter, and the IBF title.
Martínez captured the WBA title against Ioka in July 2024 in Tokyo, winning by unanimous decision after a tough 12-round fight. This was his last official fight, consolidating his position in the super flyweight division. However, by losing the IBF belt, only the WBA title will be at stake in the rematch against the Japanese fighter.
Following this IBF decision, the vacant belt will be contested by Mexican fighters Willibaldo García and René Calixto.
García, with a record of 22 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw, and 13 knockouts, will face the undefeated Calixto, who has 23 wins and 9 knockouts. This fight, scheduled for December in Japan, will award the vacant IBF title.
Martínez’s case is not the first time the IBF has stripped champions due to a lack of mandatory defenses. Fighters like Oleksandr Usyk, Jai Opetaia, Terence Crawford, and Canelo Álvarez have also lost their titles under similar circumstances. In Canelo’s case, he was stripped of his super middleweight world title when his fight against Edgar Berlanga was confirmed. In his absence, William Scull claimed the title by defeating Vladimir Shishkin in Falkensee, Germany.
Jai Opetaia, who lost his IBF cruiserweight title, regained it by defeating Mairis Briedis in May 2024 in a 12-round unanimous decision. Usyk was also forced to relinquish his title, which was awarded to Daniel Dubois by the IBF.
Terence Crawford was also stripped of his IBF welterweight world title, with Jaron “Boots” Ennis being promoted from interim champion to IBF welterweight champion.
The IBF continues to apply strict mandatory defense rules, as demonstrated by the recent case of Artur Beterbiev. On October 17, the organization ordered Beterbiev to defend his title against German fighter Michael “Diesel” Eifert, who holds a record of 13 wins and one loss. If Beterbiev decides to proceed with his anticipated rematch against Dmitry Bivol, he may be forced to relinquish the IBF title. Conor Wallace and Michael Eifert are expected to fight for the vacant belt in 2025 once Beterbiev vacates it.
Me dicen que los mexicanos Wilibaldo García y René Calixto disputarán el vacante cetro Supermosca FIB en diciembre en Japón. El organismo pedía al argentino Fernando ‘Puma’ Martínez defender ante García, pero al tener la revancha con Kazuto Ioka, quedó el cetro vacante.
— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) October 31, 2024
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