IBF: Bundrage Can Fight Mayorga, Non-Title Only

By Pablo Fletes, notifight.com

As expected, the IBF will not approve a championship fight between Ricardo Mayorga and 154-pound champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage. Anibal Miramontes, the ratings counselor of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), said his organization is willing to approve a ten round non-title fight between the two boxers, but they are not going to approve Mayorga for a title shot. Mayorga is coming of two back to back knockout defeats, and he isn't ranked by the IBF.

Don King, promoter for Mayorga and Bundrage, recently visited Nicaragua and held a meeting with President Daniel Ortega. King discussed his desire to stage a big event in the fall with Mayorga challenging Bundrage in the main event.

"The IBF will not approve such a plan," Miramontes said by telephone from the United States. "Mayorga can not fight Bundrage [for the title]. He has no merit to face him, and after losing to Miguel Cotto we definitely would not take that fight. Bundrage can fight in Nicaragua. He can face Mayorga in a ten round fight, but not for the IBF title because we would not approve it."