Dib Breaks From Pedraza Talks, Faces Miura 5/1 in Tokyo

Australia's Billy Dib will fight for a junior lightweight title in his next ring appearance. Whom he next faces, however, has now changed. 

The former featherweight titlist will travel to Japan, where he faces reigning WBC 130 lb. titlist Takashi Miura. The bout will take place May 1 in Tokyo.

The news— which was first reported on AsianBoxing.info —reveals a surprise turn of events. Dib was previously in negotiation with Jose Pedraza for an IBF-ordered vacant title fight. The two camps had 30 days to agree to terms or else be subjected to a purse bid, which would have taken place later this month. 

Sources with knoweldge of the situation have confirmed that the Pedraza fight is no longer on the table for Dib (39-3, 23KOs), who has won three straight fights. The 29-year old reigned as a featherweight titlist for 20 months before running into Evgeny Gradovich, dropping a close but clear decision in their first fight in March '13.

An attempt to regain his old title ended with the worst loss of his career, as Dib was battered into submisssion in the 9th round of their rematch eight months later.

Miura (28-2-2, 21KOs) has won eight straight since suffering an 8th round stoppage to de facto 130 lb. king Takashi Uchiyama in 2011. The bout marked Miura's first stab at an alphabet title, collecting a belt of his own in a 9th round stoppage of Gamaliel Diaz in April '13. 

The duration of Miura's reign has taken place against fighters from Mexico, with successful defenses lodged against Sergio 'Yeyo' Thompson, Dante Jardon and Edgar Puerta in his most recent win last November. The pending showdown with Dib breaks that cycle.

No word on whom Pedraza will now face for the vacant IBF 130 lb. title. IBF spokesperson Jeanette Salazar revealed that as of Monday morning, no communication has been made from either Pedraza or Dib since their title fight was ordered in late February. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox