On November 14, 2024, IBF lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko requested and was granted a sixty-day medical extension by the IBF. That expired on January 11, 2025, pursuant to rule 5.D.3 of the IBF Rules Governing Championship Contests. On the same day, the IBF received a medical report from Dr. Nelson, N.T on behalf of Lomachenko indicating that he would be unable to compete by the date that the extension expired. Following, Lomachenko requested a [further] medical exception on January 2, 2025. The IBF Directors met and determined that Lomachenko's exception request shall be granted with the following conditions:

 

1. The IBF will order #2 ranked lightweight Zaur Abdulaev to immediately commence negotiations with #4 ranked Raymond Muratalla for the IBF interim title [#1 is not rated, #3 is Keyshawn Davis, who will be fighting for the WBO title next month]; 

 

2. Lomachenko must defend the IBF lightweight title against the interim champion by October 8th. If he is unable to defend the title against the interim champion by the end of the time permitted under the exception, then the interim champion shall become the champion pursuant to Rule 16.E.

 

3.The IBF will not grant any further requests to delay the mandatory defense.