Fonfara vs Karpency For The Vacant IBO Title on 11/16

By Luke Furman

Andrzej Fonfara (22-2, 12 KOs), who recently secured the biggest win of his career, with a clear decision victory over former champion Glen Johnson (51-17-2, 35 KOs), will get the opportunity to fight for the vacant IBO world title on the 16th of November at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He will face Tommy Karpency (21-3-1, 14 KOs), who in his last fight lost a decision to WBO champion Nathan Cleverly.

According to Fonfara's promoter, Dominic Pescoli, the IBO was impressed by the Johnson victory and made a decision to give him the opportunity to fight for the title. Fonfara's team tried to get him fights with Yusaf Mack and Allan Green, but said the two fighters were asking for a lot of money.

"Negotiations with the IBO began shortly after the fight with Glen. Today, it's really not easy to find an opponent who wants to stand in the ring with Andrzej. Tommy Karpency is a 26-year-old young wolf, who won 21 fights, 14 wins by KO, and so far has never lost by KO. He even gave the WBO world champion a tough fight and lost on points. If he wins, we want to go against one of the other current world champions in the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF," said Marek Fonfara, manager and brother.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org