The other leg of the post-Junto Nakatani bantamweight era is officially in play.
BoxingScene has confirmed the IBF has ordered a vacant bantamweight title fight between Mexico’s Jose Salas and South Africa’s Landile Ngxeke. A ruling obtained by BoxingScene called for a 30-day negotiation period to reach terms and avoid a purse bid hearing.
“Please be advised that the IBF Bantamweight title is vacant,” IBF Champions Chairman George Martinez informed both involved parties. “Jose Salas Reyes, rated #3, and #5 rated Landile Ngxeke are the two highest ranked available contenders in the IBF Bantamweight division.
“The IBF is ordering a championship bout between these two contenders to determine the new IBF Bantamweight Champion.”
Salas is represented by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, while Ngxeke is with No Doubt Management, headed by renowned trainer and manager Colin Nathan.
The winner of the ordered bout will claim the IBF belt left behind by Japan’s Nakatani, who also held the WBC belt at bantamweight. The unbeaten former three-division titlist is now campaigning in the 122lbs division in pursuit of superstar countryman Naoya Inoue.
Salas, 16-0 (10 KOs) played a role in Nakatani claiming two belts at bantamweight.
The undefeated 23-year-old southpaw from Tijuana was the top-rated contender for then-unbeaten IBF titleholder Ryosuke Nishida. However, he agreed to stand down and allow the all-Japan unification bout between Nakatani and Nishida, with the promise that he’d next get his title shot.
Nakatani claimed a sixth-round, technical knockout victory but it was clear that the June 8 fight would be his last at bantamweight. Salas was prepared for the development and even took a stay-busy fight, which he won via 8-round, unanimous decision on May 15 in Texcoco, Mexico.
Ngxeke has won seven straight contests since the lone defeat of his career nearly three years ago. The 30-year-old contender is coming off a ten-rind, unanimous decision victory over Eric Gamboa on June 29 in his hometown of East London, South Africa.
As previously reported by BoxingScene, Tenshin Nasukawa and former WBA titleholder Takuma Inoue meet for the vacant WBC 118lbs title on November 24 in Tokyo.
