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Eduardo Nunez and Masanori Rikiishi have been ordered to begin negotiations to fight for the vacant IBF junior lightweight title.
The New Jersey-based sanctioning body tells BoxingScene that the order was issued on January 31, the same day the previous titleholder, Anthony Cacace, announced on social media that he was dropping the belt to pursue other options.
Nunez and Rikiishi will have until March 2 to negotiate. If they are unable to reach a deal by the deadline, then a purse bid will take place.
Nunez, 27-1 (27 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, had figured to be involved in the fight as the No. 1 contender with the IBF, while Rikiishi, 16-1 (11 KOs), of Yokohama, Japan, is the next available contender at No. 3. (The IBF’s second spot is vacant.)
The 27-year-old Nunez is signed to Matchroom Boxing, while the 30-year-old Rikiishi is signed with Ohashi Boxing – the same Japan-based promoter that also boasts Naoya Inoue, his brother Takuma Inoue and WBO bantamweight titleholder Yoshiki Takei.
Both fighters have been surging since early defeats.
Nunez has won 17 straight since losing a six-round decision to Hiram Gallardo in 2018, including a sixth-round stoppage of perennial title challenger Miguel Marriaga in Nunez’s last fight in August.
The southpaw Rikiishi has won 14 straight since biting off more than he could chew in his third pro fight, a second-round stoppage to Kosuke Saka back in 2018. Rikiishi’s biggest wins include a third-round knockout of Ricardo Nunez, plus a come-from-behind, final-round stoppage of Michael Magnesi in Magnesi’s home country of Italy last March.
Rikiishi last fought in October, knocking out Filipino journeyman Arnel Baconaje in two rounds.
