On December 13, 2024 the IBF ordered Etinosa Oliha of Italy and Kyrone Davis of Philadelphia to begin negotiations for an IBF middleweight eliminator. Negotiations were to be concluded on or before December 28th and no agreement was reached even though several extensions were approved. As a result, the IBF has ordered a purse bid for Tuesday, February 4th. Davis is 19-3-1 with three wins in a row since a 2021 loss at super middleweight to David Benavidez, an undefeated two-time champion. Oliha is 21-0 and a former IBO champion. He has fought good European-level opposition, lately fighting out of Germany.