Must happen within 40 days (purse bids to be ordered next month if negotiations have not taken place) by official order of the IBF, or Ayala will be stripped. IBF flyweight title at stake, 1st defense of Ayala. Ayala controversially defeated Alvarado in Yucatán last year, before going on to knock out undefeated Filipino southpaw Dave Apolinario for the vacant belt. Meanwhile, the Nicaraguan boxer-puncher has gone on a 3-0 run - beating two Mexican journeymen and then snatching the cherry of Argentinian banger Tobías Jeremías "Pitbull" Reyes in an eliminator on Friday. Hopefully we get a neutral location and experienced international judges.
Excellent fight! I am going with Ayala, despite the controversy. Just a gut feeling, but it would be dope if Alvarado won it.
Today was the deadline before this was supposed to have gone to purse bids - although it now appears that Ayala is awaiting IBF approval to instead face Masamichi "Yabuki" Satô, with Alvarado taking step-aside money. Guess the rematch (or Alvarado vs. Satô) can be revisited later.