IBF making moves in the flyweight division

By Scott Shaffer

26/08/2025

IBF making moves in the flyweight division

On May 28th, the IBF ordered its flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki of Japan, and #1 ranked Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua to begin negotiations for Yabuki's mandatory defense of his title. On August 22nd, Sean Gibbons, on behalf of Alvarado, advised that they would like to proceed to a purse bid pursuant to IBF Rule 10.A. The IBF has therefore scheduled a purse bid for Tuesday, September 9th at 12 noon. Yabuki, who is also a former junior flyweight champion, is 18-4 and coming off a March win over Angel Ayala thatmade him a two-division champion. Yabuki has split two bouts with Japanese superstar Kenshiro Teraji. Alvarado is 42-4 and reigned as the IBF junior flyweight champion from 2018 through 2021.
 

As for the next IBF flyweight mandatory contender after Alvarado, on August 12th, the IBF ordered Reggie Suganob and Sergio Mendoza Cordova to begin negotiations for an IBF final eliminator. On August 22nd, Sean Gibbons, on behalf of Mendoza Cordova, advised that they would like to proceed to a purse bid pursuant to IBF Rule 10.A. Therefore, the IBF has scheduled a purse bid for Tuesday, September 2nd at 12 noon. Suganob, from the Philippines, is 16-1, and failed in a 2023 junior flyweight title bid against Sivenathi Nontshinga. Mendoza Cordova, from Mexico, has a pro record of 26-0.