By John MacDonald
The IBF have called for Ionut Dan Ion (also known as Jojo Dan) 33-2 (18 KOs) to face Leonard Bundu 31-0-2 (11 KOs) in a final eliminator to become the mandatory challenger to their new welterweight champion, Kell Brook.
Dan is currently ranked number two by the sanctioning body and is on a four fight winning streak with his last loss coming by way of close decision against Selcuk Aydin in 2011. The Canada based Romanian picked up a career best win last November, claiming a split decision victory against previously unbeaten Kevin Bizier.
A victory for the number three ranked Bundu will secure him a third fight against English opposition. In back-to-back contests the Sierra Leon born Italian travelled to Britain, first stopping Lee Purdy in December 2013 before returning last month to add Frankie Gavin’s Commonwealth title to his own European strap by way of split decision.
“We are looking for it to take place within the next four months. If they don’t reach an agreement a letter will go out on September 1 to call purse bids,” Lindsey Tucker, IBF Championships Chairman told BoxingScene.com.
Kell Brook captured the title by beating, the then champion, Shawn Porter by majority decision this past weekend in California. The new titlist has nine months to make a voluntary defence before having to face his mandatory challenger by May 16 next year, according to Tucker.
“Nine months from August 16 Kell Brook will have to make a mandatory defence but seven months from August 16 – because we notify 60 days in advance - we will notify him to start negotiating with whoever wins between Dan and Bundu.
“In the meantime Kell Brook can fight anybody in the top 15 or he can fight one of the other champions; WBA, WBC or WBO under our rules.”
