The IBF has officially ordered Willibaldo Garcia Perez and Rene Calixto Bibiano to rematch for their vacant super flyweight title.

The pair fought to a thrilling 12-round split draw on December 21 in Shizuoka, Japan in a bout that had the same title at stake. They now have until January 28 to negotiate a deal for a rematch, or purse bids will be called.

The belt became free after Fernando Martinez vacated it in order to pursue a rematch with Kazuto Ioka, having unified the WBA and IBF titles with the Japanese fighter in a toe-to-toe battle in July.

The IBF, who have become well-known for demanding mandatory obligations are met, had informed Martinez that he would have to face Garcia Perez following the Ioka fight. But with the Argentinian not getting any younger, a money-spinning rematch with Ioka while still holding the WBA title was too much to turn down.

Martinez vs Ioka II was originally scheduled for December 31. However, Martinez was forced to pull out due to illness just a few hours before the weigh-in.

There were discussions to reschedule the bout for February, but nothing has been announced. The winner would likely be ordered to face interim WBA champion David Jiminez.

The events of the last few weeks have been a blow for WBC champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who would have looked to unify at super flyweight in the first quarter of 2025.

WBO champion Phumelele Cafu, who upset four-division champion Kosei Tanaka in October to win the title, looks set to face the legendary Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in Nicaragua in March.