Petalcorin, Alvarado ordered to fight for vacant IBF title

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ordered Sanman Boxing Gym’s Randy Petalcorin and Nicaragua’s Felix Alvarado to fight for the vacant IBF light flyweight belt.

The order came after South African boxer Hekkie Budler decided to give up his IBF lightweight title. Budler had won the title via a unanimous win over Japan’s Ryoichi Taguchi last May 20 in Ota-City Gymnasium in Japan.

With Budler’s decision and if negotiations pull through, Petalcorin and Alvarado will contend for the title being the two highest-ranked fighters in the division.

The 29-year-old Alvarado (33-2, 29KOs) is rated no. 1 in the division, while the 26-year-old Petalcorin (29-2-1, 22KOs) is ranked third. The number two spot in the division is vacant.

Petalcorin was excited upon learning about the IBF order.

“I will be ready for this fight. I know Alvarado is a big puncher but I am ready for any challenge in my bid to become a world champion again,” said Petalcorin, a former interim world champion in the said division.

Sanman Promotions CEO Jim Claude Manangquil said he will be working with Petalcorin’s co-manager Peter Maniatis in the negotiations to realize what could be a gigantic showdown.

“This is the opportunity that Randy Petalcorin has been waiting for a long time. We will do our best to give the Philippines another world title,” said Manangquil.